half-hearted
|half-heart-ed|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˌhæfˈhɑːrtɪd/
🇬🇧
/ˌhɑːfˈhɑːtɪd/
lacking enthusiasm
Etymology
Etymology Information
'half-hearted' originates from Middle English, combining 'half' meaning 'partly' and 'hearted' meaning 'with spirit or courage'.
Historical Evolution
'half-hearted' evolved from the Middle English term 'half-herted', which combined 'half' and 'herted'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'partly spirited', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'lacking enthusiasm'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
lacking enthusiasm or interest; not fully committed.
She gave a half-hearted attempt at cleaning the room.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:39