Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

half step

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.95 in modern English

Syllables: half step
IPA

16

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

1

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The distance between two tones. In 12-tone equal temperament, its frequency ratio is 2^(1/12), or about 1.059 or 18/17.

American usage

Usage

American usage

Inflected Forms

half steps (plural)

Phrases

whole step

Frequently Paired Words

whole step semitone cent

Synonyms

semitone

Questions

What does half step mean?: The distance between two tones. In 12-tone equal temperament, its frequency ratio is 2^(1/12), or about 1.059 or 18/17.

How to pronounce half step

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