half-hearted

/ˌhɑːf ˈhɑːtɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌhæf ˈhɑːrtɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhaf-ˈhär-təd ˈhäf-/ (ame, mw)

half-hearted — adjective

1. carried out or offered with very little energy, care, or real interest, usually

1.形容詞B2
釋義

carried out or offered with very little energy, care, or real interest, usually because you do not truly want to do it or do not believe in it fully

例句

Theo made a half-hearted attempt to tidy his room before his parents arrived.

collocation: half-hearted attempt

Priya's half-hearted apology did not convince the team that she regretted the mistake.

collocation: half-hearted apology

同義詞
  • lukewarm

    very similar meaning, often describes a response or reaction that lacks warmth

  • unenthusiastic

    more direct; stronger focus on the absence of positive feeling

  • tepid

    more formal and less common; suggests a mildly negative reaction rather than total lack of effort

  • perfunctory

    more formal; emphasizes that something is done as a routine duty without real care

反義詞
  • wholehearted

    direct opposite — done with full energy and sincere enthusiasm

  • enthusiastic

    everyday opposite; shows eager interest and positive energy

文法句型

half-hearted + noun

be half-hearted about + noun/gerund

常見錯誤

❌He gave a half-baked wave goodbye.
✅He gave a half-hearted wave goodbye.
💡'half-baked' means poorly planned or foolish, not lacking enthusiasm.
❌She half-hearted tried to finish the report.
✅She made a half-hearted attempt to finish the report.
💡'half-hearted' is an adjective, not an adverb. Use 'half-heartedly' for the adverb form.
❌I was half-hearted from the project after a year.
✅I was half-hearted about the project after a year.
💡the correct preposition is 'about', not 'from'.