ENGLISH
REFERENCE

quasi

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈkwɑsi// UK //kwˈeɪzaɪ// quasi

adj. seeming like something but not quite being it. You use this to describe things that are almost, but not completely, a certain way.

adj. resembling or possessing some features of a particular thing without being that thing in its entirety. Often used as a prefix or a standalone modifier to indicate a partial or superficial similarity.


SIMPLE

The group is a quasi-official organization.

CONTEXTUAL

The company operates as a quasi-monopoly, controlling most of the market despite having a few small competitors.

COMPLEX

The legal team argued that the entity was a quasi-governmental body, meaning it should be subject to the same transparency laws as a state agency.

Origin

Learned borrowing from Latin quasi (“as if”).

Usage

Often functions as a prefix joined by a hyphen to a noun or adjective, but can also stand alone as a modifier in formal contexts.

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