halfpennyworth

H4A1L1F4P3E1N1N1Y4W4O1R1T1H4
UK/ˈheɪpnɪwəθ/UK/ˈheɪpəθ/

noun

As much as could be bought for a halfpenny (pre- or post-decimalisation).

“he's never been a ha'p'orth of bother”

Similar
pennyworthtuppence worthaceatomthoughtatomyaughtbissel
OriginMiddle English halpenyworth →
Scrabble 31
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Meanings

nounhalfpennyworth (plural halfpennyworths)

plural halfpennyworths · contraction ha'p'orth

  1. UKhistoricalAs much as could be bought for a halfpenny (pre- or post-decimalisation).
  2. UKinformalA negligible amount.

    he's never been a ha'p'orth of bother

    Synonyms: pennyworth, tuppence worth, ace, atom, thought, atomy, aught, bissel

  3. UKinformalOne's opinion or thoughts on a matter.

    Synonyms: pennyworth, tuppence worth, two cents, two cents' worth

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA negligible amount.

Similar
pennyworthtuppence worthaceatomthoughtatomyaughtbisselcontinentalbitcrumbglimpsedabdamndashdiddlyglintdotspatterdrop

nounOne's opinion or thoughts on a matter.

Similar
pennyworthtuppence worthtwo centstwo cents' worth

More synonyms by meaning

nounthe amount that can be bought for a halfpenny

Similar
ha'p'orth
Broader
worth
Also see
ha'p'orthpennyworthtuppence worth

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Middle Englishhalpenyworth
  2. Englishhalfpennyworth

From Middle English halpenyworth; equivalent to halfpenny + worth; compare Old English healfpeniġweorþ.

More words from Middle English

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

halfpennyworth. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/halfpennyworth

MLA

“halfpennyworth.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/halfpennyworth. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “halfpennyworth,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/halfpennyworth.

Source: halfpennyworth on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.