2. Lacking zeal or courage; performed with less than a full effort; lukewarm; unenthusiastic; as, a half-hearted attempt; -- of actions. [WordNet sense 1] --H. James. [1913 Webster +PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
half-hearted — (adj.) also halfhearted, early 15c.; see HALF (Cf. half) + HEARTED (Cf. hearted). Related: halfheartedly; halfheartedness. English in 17c. also had half headed stupid … Etymology dictionary
half-hearted — half heart|ed [ ,hæf hartəd ] adjective done with no real interest or enthusiasm: a half hearted attempt The celebrations were rather half hearted. ╾ half heart|ed|ly adverb ╾ half heart|ed|ness noun uncount … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
half-hearted — half heart|ed [ˌha:f ˈha:tıd US ˌhæf ˈha:r ] adj done without much effort and without much interest in the result ▪ Congress has made half hearted attempts at finance reform. >half heartedly adv … Dictionary of contemporary English
half-hearted — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ without enthusiasm or energy. DERIVATIVES half heartedly adverb half heartedness noun … English terms dictionary
half-hearted — ADJ GRADED If someone does something in a half hearted way, they do it without any real effort, interest, or enthusiasm. Joanna had made one or two half hearted attempts to befriend Graham s young wife. ...a half hearted apology... In truth, her… … English dictionary
half-hearted — adjective a half hearted attempt to do something is done without much effort and without much interest in the result: She made a half hearted attempt to be friendly. half heartedly adverb half heartedness noun (U) … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
half-hearted — UK [ˌhɑːf ˈhɑː(r)tɪd] / US [ˌhæf ˈhɑrtəd] adjective done with no real interest or enthusiasm a half hearted attempt The celebrations were rather half hearted. Derived words: half heartedly adverb half heartedness noun uncountable … English dictionary
half-hearted — a half hearted attempt to do something lacks effort and enthusiasm. I made a half hearted attempt to start a conversation with him and then gave up … New idioms dictionary
half-hearted — using half your ability, not giving enough effort He made a half hearted attempt to find our luggage: one phone call … English idioms
half-hearted — {adj.} Lacking enthusiasm or interest. * /Phil made several half hearted attempts to learn word processing, but we could see that he didn t really like it./ … Dictionary of American idioms
