noun
Common
semi
SEH-mee
Semi (noun) means a semi-detached house, sharing one wall with a neighbouring house. Example: “They bought a three-bedroom semi on the edge of town.”
noun
1
A semi-detached house, sharing one wall with a neighbouring house.
"They bought a three-bedroom semi on the edge of town."
"We live in a semi, and we can sometimes hear the neighbours' piano."
"The estate agent showed us a lovely semi with a long back garden."
2
A semifinal match in a competition.
"Both teams were nervous going into the semi."
"Our local club won the semi and will play in the final next week."
"The crowd grew louder as the semi went into extra time."
3
A large articulated lorry made up of a tractor unit and trailer.
"A semi jackknifed on the icy motorway."
"The driver parked his semi at the service station and went for a coffee."
"A huge semi was stuck behind us all the way up the hill."
How to use semi
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual short form standing in for semi-detached house, semifinal, or semi-trailer truck, depending on context.
UK vs US
"Semi" for a house is mainly British usage; "semi" for a large truck is mainly American.
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Word forms
- Plural
- semis
Fill the gap
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They bought a three-bedroom _____ on the edge of town.
Etymology
A shortening of the Latin prefix semi-, "half," used on its own as a noun.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for semi
See all rhymes for semi →Frequently asked questions
What does “semi” mean?
The word “semi” means a semi-detached house, sharing one wall with a neighbouring house. In plain terms, a casual short form standing in for semi-detached house, semifinal, or semi-trailer truck, depending on context.
How do you pronounce “semi”?
“Semi” is pronounced SEH-mee (/ˈsɛmi/ in IPA).
How do you use “semi” in a sentence?
Here is “semi” used in a sentence: “They bought a three-bedroom semi on the edge of town.”
What part of speech is “semi”?
“Semi” is a noun.
Where does the word “semi” come from?
The word “semi” comes from Latin. A shortening of the Latin prefix semi-, "half," used on its own as a noun.
Is “semi” a common word?
“Semi” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “semi” have?
“Semi” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a semi-detached house, sharing one wall with a neighbouring house.
What is the difference between a semi and a detached house?
A semi, short for semi-detached house, shares one wall with the house next door, so the two homes are joined as a mirrored pair. A detached house stands completely on its own, touching no neighbour. Semis are usually more affordable, while detached homes offer more privacy and quiet.
What is the difference between a semi and a terraced house?
A semi is joined to just one neighbouring house, sharing a single wall. A terraced house sits in a continuous row and is usually joined on both sides, except for the homes at each end. So a semi has one attached neighbour, a mid-terrace house has two.
Does 'semi' have other meanings?
Yes. 'Semi' is a common shortening used in several ways. In British English it usually means a semi-detached house. In sport it can mean a semi-final, and in American English a 'semi' often refers to a large semi-trailer truck. Context makes clear which one is meant.
Is 'semi' formal or informal?
'Semi' is an informal, everyday shortening of 'semi-detached house.' In casual conversation or property listings people happily say 'a three-bed semi,' but a formal document or survey is more likely to use the full term 'semi-detached house.' The meaning is identical; only the tone differs.
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