Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

halfback

/ˈhæfˌbæk/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.00 in modern English

Syllables: half-back
IPA: /ˈhæfˌbæk/

22

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Any of various positions on the field of play between the forwards and the fullbacks.

noun

A player who occupies one of these positions.

noun

A player who occupies one of these positions.

noun

A player who occupies one of these positions.

noun

A player who occupies one of these positions.

noun

A player who occupies one of these positions.

noun

A person from the northern United States who moves to Florida, but then due to the heat or other issues, moves again to a more temperate climate, primarily the Carolinas.

verb

To play in the position of halfback.

Example Sentences

"Four years ago, Diane got a small inheritance and they became what Paul Klein calls “halfbacks” — people who moved to Florida from the North and have progressed partly back."
"One of my favorite stories of North Carolina’s demographic growth and change is the “halfback.”"
"“‘Halfbacks’ are snowbirds from Michigan who have tried wintering in Florida but decided to move…half way back."

Etymology

From half + back, in reference to position on the field of play; compare fullback. In the sense of someone who moves to Florida and then to a more temperate climate, from moving "half way back"

Word Breakdown

Prefix: half
Suffix: back

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈhæfˌbæk/

Inflected Forms

halfbacks (plural) halfbacks (present, singular) halfbacking (participle, present) halfbacked (participle, past) halfbacked (past)

Phrases

defensive halfback

Questions

How do you pronounce halfback?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈhæfˌbæk/.
What does halfback mean?: Any of various positions on the field of play between the forwards and the fullbacks.
Where does halfback come from?: From half + back, in reference to position on the field of play; compare fullback. In the sense of someone who moves to Florida and then to a more temperate climate, from moving "half way back"

How to pronounce halfback

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “halfback”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈhæfˌbæk/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “halfback”.
Repeat and practice — Say “halfback” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.