Word
semi
Phoneticsse·mi, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsɛmaɪ/
UK/sˈɛmi/
Definitions
01a house
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun British English · Informal
n. a house that is joined to another house on one side.
n. a semi-detached house, sharing one common wall with an adjacent property.
“They live in a quiet semi at the end of the street.”
“The developer converted the Victorian semi into two separate apartments, though the shared wall required significant soundproofing.”
Usage
Commonly used in British and Australian English to describe residential property.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02a large truck
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun American English · Informal
n. a very large truck used for carrying goods over long distances.
n. a semi-trailer or tractor-trailer used for heavy haulage.
“The highway was full of semis carrying supplies to the city.”
“The driver struggled to manoeuvre the semi through the narrow industrial estate, eventually requiring a spotter to assist with the tight turn.”
Usage
Primarily North American usage; the British equivalent is 'artic'.
Synonyms
03sports match
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Sports Informal
n. a match or race that comes just before the final.
n. a semi-final round in a knockout competition.
“Our team won the semi and will play for the trophy on Sunday.”
“After a gruelling semi that went into extra time, the players had only three days to recover before the championship match.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04finance/tech
C1 · Advanced Plural noun Computing Informal · Technical
n. companies that make computer chips.
n. shorthand for semiconductor companies or their stocks.
“Investors are buying semis because of the high demand for AI chips.”
“The portfolio manager increased exposure to the semis, betting that the supply chain constraints would ease by the third quarter.”
Synonyms
05firearms
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Slang
n. a gun that fires one bullet each time you pull the trigger.
n. a semiautomatic firearm.
“The police found a semi hidden in the back of the car.”
“The legislation specifically targets the sale of high-capacity semis to unlicensed individuals.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
06partly
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
adv. partly or somewhat.
adv. to some extent; partially.
“I was only semi-conscious when the alarm went off this morning.”
“The project was only semi-successful, as it met the technical requirements but failed to gain traction with the target audience.”
Usage
Usually functions as a prefix, but used as a standalone adverb in very casual speech.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“The event was held at Tesla’s new Semi factory next to Gigafactory Nevada, where the company says it can build 50,000 trucks a year, or 1,000 per week.” Etymology
The prefix semi- (from Latin) used as a noun.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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