semi
word
/ˈsɛmaɪ/
/sˈɛmi/
Definition
'Semi' can mean a large truck with a trailer (especially in the US), or it can be a prefix meaning 'half' or 'partly' (as in 'semicircle').
Usage & Nuances
As a noun, 'semi' (short for 'semi-trailer') is common in American English for big trucks. As a prefix, it attaches to other words ('semi-final', 'semicircle') to mean 'half' or 'partial'. In the UK, 'semi' alone can also mean 'semi-detached house' (house sharing a wall). Context determines the meaning.
Spanish: camión remolque - semi (prefijo)Portuguese (BR): caminhão articulado - semi (prefixo)Portuguese (PT): camião articulado - semi (prefixo)Chinese (Simplified): 半挂卡车 - 半（前缀）Chinese (Traditional): 半掛卡車 - 半（前綴）Hindi: सेमी ट्रक - अर्ध (उपसर्ग)Arabic: شاحنة نصف مقطورة - نصف (بادئة)Bengali: সেমি ট্রাক - আধা (উপসর্গ)Russian: полуприцеп - полу- (приставка)Japanese: 大型トレーラー - セミ（接頭辞）Vietnamese: xe tải đầu kéo - bán (tiền tố)Korean: 트레일러(화물차) - 세미(접두사)Turkish: tır (çekici) - yarı (ön ek)Urdu: سیمی ٹرک - نیم (پیشوند)Indonesian: trailer - semi (awalan)
Example Sentences
A semi drove past our house last night.
basic
The shape is a semicircle.
basic
He reached the semi-final of the tournament.
basic
Be careful driving near semis on the highway.
natural
My parents live in a semi outside London.
natural
He only has a semi understanding of the topic.
natural