semi

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.

“Semi” is pronounced SEH-mee (/ˈsɛmi/ in IPA).

Here is “semi” used in a sentence: “They bought a three-bedroom semi on the edge of town.”

“Semi” is a noun.

The word “semi” comes from Latin. A shortening of the Latin prefix semi-, "half," used on its own as a noun.

“Semi” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Semi” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a semi-detached house, sharing one wall with a neighbouring 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.

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.

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.

'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.