half step

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.

Similar
semitone
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Meanings

nounhalf step (plural half steps)

plural half steps

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

Synonyms & antonyms

nounthe musical interval between adjacent keys on a keyboard instrument

Similar
semitone
Broader
intervalmusical interval
Also see
minor secondsemitone

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Cite this entry
APA

half step. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/half%20step

MLA

“half step.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/half%20step. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “half step,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/half%20step.

Source: half step on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.