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semi

noun · adverb

Simple meaning

A large truck that pulls a trailer.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

semeye

Say the bold part a little louder.

US device voice
IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈsɛmaɪ

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

noun

  1. informal

    A semifinal.

  2. UKIrelandAustraliaCanadainformal

    A semi-detached house.

  3. AustraliaCanadaNew ZealandUS

    A semi-trailer; a tractor-trailer; an eighteen-wheeler; an artic.

  4. AustraliaCanadaNew ZealandUS

    A truck consisting of a tractor and trailer together

  5. AustraliaCanadaNew ZealandUS

    A trailer having wheels only in the rear; the front is supported by the towing vehicle

adverb

  1. informal

    Somewhat; to some extent.

Word Aura™

How this word commonly comes across.

Aura for this meaning

This meaning: (UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, informal) A semi-detached house.

Used this way, semi is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It turns up most in everyday conversation and social media or informal writing contexts.

Emotional tone
Neutral
Formality
Casual
Intensity
Not strongly marked
How common
Moderately common
Connotation
Playful
Usage feel
Casual and conversational

Where it naturally appears

  • Everyday conversation
  • Social media/informal writing

Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.

More ways to use semi

  • “The semi-truck carried a large load across the country.”

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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.