halve

/hɑːv/ (bre, ipa) · /hæv/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhav ˈhäv/ (ame, mw)

halve — verb

  • halvepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • halveshe / she / it
  • halvedpast simple
  • halving-ing form

1. to make an amount or object only fifty percent of its earlier size, either by cu

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to make an amount or object only fifty percent of its earlier size, either by cutting it into matching pieces or by lowering a number, price, or quantity by 50%.

例句

The chef halved the peaches before laying them on the tart.

halve + object (divide into equal parts)

Pedro halved the monthly ad budget after sales fell in March.

halve + amount (reduce by 50%)

同義詞
  • cut

    broader and more general; it does not always mean by exactly 50%

  • reduce

    more formal and often used for numbers, costs, or amounts

  • split

    focuses more on separating into parts than on the exact 50% result

反義詞
  • double

    to make something twice as large instead of half as large

  • increase

    to make something larger rather than smaller

文法句型

halve + noun

halve + noun + in half

用法筆記

Often used with prices, numbers, budgets, and portions of food. With physical objects, 'halve' alone usually already suggests two equal parts, so an extra phrase is often unnecessary.

常見錯誤

❌Dahlia halved to the sandwich.
✅Dahlia halved the sandwich.
💡'halve' takes the thing being divided as a direct object.

2. if an amount, size, or number halves, it falls to half of its earlier level.

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

if an amount, size, or number halves, it falls to half of its earlier level.

例句

After the coupon ended, online orders halved within two days.

amount + halve (measurable change)

The town's water supply halved during the long summer drought.

同義詞
  • drop

    more common, but it does not show the exact amount of change

  • shrink

    often used for physical size as well as quantities

  • fall

    common for numbers and prices, without the exact half meaning

反義詞
  • double

    to become twice as large instead of half as large

  • rise

    to go up rather than down

文法句型

amount + halve

halve + within + time period

用法筆記

Usually used with measurable things such as sales, prices, supplies, or waiting times, rather than with people or physical objects. It often reports a change after some event.

常見錯誤

❌Online orders halved to a half.
✅Online orders halved.
💡'halve' already means become half as large, so no extra phrase is needed.

3. in golf, to complete a hole or a match level with the other player or side.

3.動詞及物C2
釋義

in golf, to complete a hole or a match level with the other player or side.

例句

Elena halved the final hole after both players needed four strokes.

halve + hole (same number of strokes)

Christopher halved the match with a steady par on the last green.

同義詞
  • tie

    general sports word; less specific than the golf use of 'halve'

  • draw

    common for the final result of a contest rather than a single hole

反義詞
  • win

    to finish ahead instead of level

  • lose

    to finish behind instead of level

文法句型

halve + hole

halve + match

用法筆記

Used in golf only. The object is usually the hole or the match, not the opponent, because the verb describes finishing level in that part of play.

常見錯誤

❌Elena halved with her opponent on the last hole.
✅Elena halved the last hole with her opponent.
💡In golf, 'halve' normally takes the hole or match as its object.