Word forms: plural semispronunciation note: The pronunciation (semaɪ) can also be used for meaning [sense 3].
1. countable noun
A semi is a semi-detached house.
[British, informal]
2. countable noun [usually plural]
In a sporting competition, thesemis are the semi-finals.
[British, informal]
He reached the semis after beating Lendl in the quarterfinal.
3. countable noun
A semi is a semi-trailer.
[US]
semi-
(semi-)
prefix
Semi- combines with adjectives and nouns to form other adjectives and nouns that describe someone or something as being partly, but not completely, in a particular state.
He found Isabel's room in semi-darkness.
...semi-skilled workers.
semi in British English
(ˈsɛmɪ)
nounWord forms: pluralsemis
1. British
a semidetached house
2. short for semifinal
3. US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand short for semitrailer
semi- in British English
prefix
1.
half
semicircle
Compare demi- (sense 1), hemi-
2.
partially, partly, not completely, or almost
semiprofessional
semifinal
3.
occurring twice in a specified period of time
semiannual
semiweekly
Word origin
from Latin; compare Old English sōm-, sām- half, Greek hēmi-
semi in American English
(ˈsɛmˌaɪ)
US
noun
Informal
a semitrailer and the tractor (sense 2) to which it is attached
Word origin
< semitrailer
semi- in American English
(ˈsɛmɪ; also variously, ˈsɛmi; ˈsɛmaɪ; ˈsɛmə)
1.
half
semicircle
2.
partly, not fully, imperfectly
semicivilized
3.
twice in a (specified period)
semicentennial
Word origin
L < IE *semi- > Gr hēmi-, Sans sāmi-, OE sām-
Examples of 'semi' in a sentence
semi
They did at least reach the semis.
The Sun (2014)
We better off getting them in semis than the final.
The Sun (2007)
That saw him reach the semis for the first time in this competition.
The Sun (2015)
Medals are decided by combining times from the semi and final runs.
The Sun (2012)
Our goal is to reach the semis and we dream of more.
The Sun (2010)
He will have taken things very easy in the day between semi and final.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There is little interest in standard terraced houses or 1930s semis on the fringes of holiday destinations.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Try it in a three-bed semi and see how it works out.
The Sun (2015)
She blamed it on the squalid three-bed semi already stinking so much.
The Sun (2011)
The foreigners aged 17 were led from a semi lived in by a family that rents rooms to students.
The Sun (2010)
The housing association worker told a friend she cannot now pay the mortgage on their three-bedroom semi on her salary alone.
The Sun (2012)
This works best in Victorian terraced houses and post-war semis.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The first live semi is at 6pm on Sunday.
The Sun (2010)
This Victorian semi in north London was converted for the owners of a photography agency.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The typical costs is about 6 for a roll that provides enough for a typical three-bedroom semi.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You can get a three-bed semi in the town for as low as 90,000.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
You may live in a semi with a leaking roof, but by joining forces with friends or family you can take temporary ownership of a castle.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The women were found dead by police and paramedics on Friday who were called to the Victorian semi where the pair lived.
The Sun (2016)
She hasn't appeared, but suddenly I spot Neville and Patricia in the semi- darkness.
Alex George LOVE YOU MADLY (2002)
Word lists with
semi
home
In other languages
semi
British English: semi /ˈsɛmɪ/ NOUN
A semi is a semi-detached house.
American English: duplex
Arabic: شبه
Brazilian Portuguese: semi
Chinese: 半
Croatian: kuća prizidana s jedne strane
Czech: dvojdomek
Danish: tofamiliehus
Dutch: halfvrijstaand huis
European Spanish: pareada
Finnish: paritalo
French: maison jumelée
German: Doppelhaushälfte
Greek: ήμισυ
Italian: casa bifamiliare
Japanese: 二戸建て住宅
Korean: 두 채가 한 동을 이루고 있는 집
Norwegian: semifinale
Polish: bliźniak dom
European Portuguese: semi
Romanian: duplex
Russian: дом, имеющий общую стенку с соседним домом
Latin American Spanish: adosada
Swedish: parhus
Thai: ครึ่งหนึ่ง
Turkish: bitişik nizam ev
Ukrainian: половина двоквартирного будинку
Vietnamese: nhà chung tường
All related terms of 'semi'
semi-annual
A semi-annual event happens twice a year.
Semi-Bantu
a group of languages of W Africa, mainly SE Nigeria and Cameroon , that were not traditionally classed as Bantu but that show certain essential Bantu characteristics. They are now classed with Bantu in the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo family
semi-circle
A semi-circle is one half of a circle , or something having the shape of half a circle.
semi-colon
A semi-colon is the punctuation mark ; which is used in writing to separate different parts of a sentence or list or to indicate a pause .
semi-desert
an extremely dry area characterized by sparse vegetation
semi-final
A semi-final is one of the two matches or races in a competition that are held to decide who will compete in the final .
semi-staged
produced with the use of only a limited number of props , costumes , etc.
semi-circular
Something that is semi-circular has the shape of half a circle .
semi-darkness
partial darkness
semi-detached
A semi-detached house is a house that is joined to another house on one side by a shared wall .
semi-finalist
A semi-finalist is a player, athlete , or team that is competing in a semi-final.
semi-flexible
partially flexible ; involving or possessing some flexibility
semi-invalid
a person who is partially disabled or somewhat infirm
semi-monthly
twice a month
semi-precious
Semi-precious stones are stones such as turquoises and amethysts that are used in jewellery but are less valuable than precious stones such as diamonds and rubies.
semi-skilled
A semi-skilled worker has some training and skills, but not enough to do specialized work.
semi-skimmed
(of milk ) having part of the cream removed , so it contains less animal fat and fewer calories than full cream milk
semi-trailer
A semi-trailer is the long rear section of a truck or lorry that can bend when it turns.
semi-tropical
Semi-tropical places have warm , wet air.
semi-autonomous
acting independently to some degree
semi-conductive
Semi-conductive describes a component which conducts electricity less well than a good conductor but better than an insulator .
semi-industrial
engaged in or given over to industry to some extent
semi-legendary
somewhat legendary ; having something of the nature of a legend ; almost legendary
semi-independent
partially independent , esp (of a state) largely self-governing within a larger political or organizational entity
semi-professional
Semi-professional sports players, musicians , and singers receive some money for playing their sport or for performing but they also have an ordinary job as well .
semi-detached home
Someone's home is the house or flat where they live.
semi-skimmed milk
Semi-skimmed milk or semi-skimmed is milk from which some of the cream has been removed.
semigloss
a paint that gives a finish between matt and gloss
semitruck
an articulated lorry consisting of an engine pulling a semitrailer
Asian semi-longhair
a breed of cat with semi-long hair, having a white undercoat with the ends coloured
semiconductor
A semiconductor is a substance used in electronics whose ability to conduct electricity increases with greater heat.