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Definition of semi

semi

/ˈsɛm.i/
sem · i
Plural:semis
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semi Lexical Profile

semi Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A large freight vehicle consisting of a heavy-duty tractor unit coupled to a detachable semi-trailer for transporting commercial cargo over long distances.

Example

"The driver carefully backed the massive semi up to the warehouse loading dock."

2

An informal shortening of semifinal, referring to a tournament match or competition round that immediately precedes the final championship.

Example

"After winning the quarterfinal in overtime, the team advanced to the semis for the first time in a decade."

3

British A semi-detached house that shares one common wall with an adjacent residence while remaining detached on the other side.

Example

"They bought a brick Victorian semi on a quiet suburban street outside Manchester."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for semi

Word Nuance & Usage

In North American usage, 'semi' most commonly refers to a large freight truck (short for semi-trailer truck), whereas in British and Australian English it frequently refers to a semi-detached house.

• Rhymes for semi

• Nearby Words

semen
semeru
semester
semi
semiannual
semiannually
semiaquatic

Word Origin & Etymology

Originally from the Latin prefix semi- meaning 'half', its standalone noun senses developed in the 20th century as informal clippings of compounds such as 'semi-trailer', 'semifinal', and 'semi-detached house'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Semi. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/semi
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