half-dozen

/'hɑ:f'dʌzn/

Thân thiện

A baker arranges a half-dozen fresh bagels in a paper bag.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Consisting of six items or units: "Half-dozen" is used to describe a quantity of exactly six things. It is synonymous with the number six but often implies a small, countable group.

Usage

• As an adjective: "Half-dozen" directly modifies a noun to indicate the quantity is six.
  • I bought a half-dozen eggs. (This means I bought six eggs.)
  • We need a half-dozen chairs for the meeting. (This means we need six chairs.)

Advanced Usage

• "a half-dozen": The most common usage, almost always preceded by the indefinite article "a," forming the phrase "a half-dozen." It functions as a determiner.
  • She invited a half-dozen friends to her party.
• Used without a noun: In some contexts, "a half-dozen" can stand alone, with the noun being implied from the conversation.
  • How many do you need? I'll take a half-dozen. (Here, the item being counted is understood from context.)

Variants and Related Words

• Half a dozen: This is a common alternative phrasing with identical meaning. It is often considered slightly more informal.
  • I'd like half a dozen of those, please.
• Six: The cardinal number. "Half-dozen" is a more descriptive way of saying "six," often used for emphasis or to sound less technical.
• Sextet: A group of six people or things, especially in music or formal contexts. This is a noun, not a direct synonym for the adjective "half-dozen."

Synonyms

• Six: The direct numerical equivalent.
• Sextuple: Consisting of six parts or things. (More technical/formal)

Related Phrases

• Bakers' dozen: This is a related idiom meaning thirteen, not six. It is included for contrast, as both phrases use "dozen" but specify different quantities.
  • A bakers' dozen is thirteen, but a half-dozen is only six.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. denoting a quantity consisting of six items or units

Từ đồng nghĩa

• six
• 6
• vi
• half dozen