semi

¹

[ sem-ee, sem-ahy ]

noun

, Informal.

1. semitrailer ( def 1 ).
2. Often semifinal ( def 3 ).

semi-

²

1. a combining form borrowed from Latin, meaning “half,” freely prefixed to English words of any origin, now sometimes with the senses “partially,” “incompletely,” “somewhat”:

   semiautomatic; semidetached; semimonthly; semisophisticated.

semi

¹

/ ˈsɛmɪ /

noun

1. a semidetached house
2. short for semifinal
3. short for semitrailer

semi-

²

prefix

1. half Compare demi- hemi-

   semicircle

2. partially, partly, not completely, or almost

   semifinal

   semiprofessional

3. occurring twice in a specified period of time

   semiannual

   semiweekly

semi–

1. A prefix that means “half,” (as in semicircle, half a circle) or “partly, somewhat, less than fully,” (as in semiconscious, partly conscious).

Confusables Note

See bi- ¹.

Word History and Origins

Origin of semi¹

By shortening

Origin of semi²

Middle English < Latin sēmi-; cognate with Old English sōm-, sām- half (modern dial. sam- ), Old High German sāmi-, Sanskrit sāmi-, Greek hēmi-; sesqui-

Word History and Origins

Origin of semi¹

from Latin; compare Old English sōm-, sām- half, Greek hēmi-

Example Sentences

He “did not adopt a reflexive posture to protect himself and ... he may have fallen in a state of semi- or total unconsciousness,” officials said.

From Los Angeles Times

He “did not adopt a reflexive posture to protect himself and ... he may have fallen in a state of semi- or total unconsciousness,” officials said last month.

From Los Angeles Times

His father, Quincy Jones Sr., was a semi professional baseball player and a carpenter.

From Los Angeles Times

Argentine authorities said local police found drugs, alcohol and “destroyed objects and furniture” in Payne’s room, adding that he “may have fallen in a state of semi- or total unconsciousness.”

From Los Angeles Times

One resident described witnessing a tornado to TCPalm: "I saw a semi knocked sideways, a truck knocked sideways," he said.

From Salon

Related Words

• car
• crate
• freighter
• jeep
• lorry
• pickup
• rig
• van
• wagon