Word
quasi
US/ˈkwɑsi/
UK/kwˈeɪzaɪ/
Definition
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.
Examples
“The group is a quasi-official organization.”
“The company operates as a quasi-monopoly, controlling most of the market despite having a few small competitors.”
“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.”
Examples
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.”
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.
Real-World Examples
“I then mix that brew with simple syrup and milk (shaken and microwaved in a jar) to make a quasi caffe latte (video) .” Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin quasi (“as if”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/quasi