semi
( semis plural )
1 n-count A semi is a semi-detached house.
(BRIT)
INFORMAL
2 n-count In a sporting competition, thesemis are the semi-finals. (BRIT) INFORMAL usu pl, usu the N He reached the semis after beating Lendl in the quarterfinal.
semi-
Semi- combines with adjectives and nouns to form other adjectives and nouns that describe someone or something as being partly, but not completely, in a particular state. prefix
He found Isabel's room in semi-darkness., ...semi-skilled workers.
semi-annual
A semi-annual event happens twice a year.
(AM) adj usu ADJ n
...the semi-annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund.
in BRIT, usually use biannual
semi-circle ( semi-circles plural ) , semicircle A semi-circle is one half of a circle, or something having the shape of half a circle. n-count
They stood in a semi-circle round the teacher's chair and answered questions.
semi-circular , semicircular
Something that is semi-circular has the shape of half a circle. adj
...a semi-circular amphitheatre.
semi-colon ( semi-colons plural )
in AM, usually use semicolon A semi-colon is the punctuation mark ; which is used in writing to separate different parts of a sentence or list or to indicate a pause. n-count
semi-detached
A semi-detached house is a house that is joined to another house on one side by a shared wall.
(mainly BRIT) adj
...a semi-detached house in Highgate.
Semi-detached is also a noun., n-sing
It was an ordinary, post-war semi-detached.
semi-final ( semi-finals plural )
in AM, usually use semifinal A semi-final is one of the two matches or races in a competition that are held to decide who will compete in the final. n-count
Steve Lewis won the first semi-final.
Thesemi-finals is the round of a competition in which these two matches or races are held., n-plural usu the N
He was beaten in the semi-finals by Chris Dittmar.
semi-finalist ( semi-finalists plural )
in AM, usually use semifinalist A semi-finalist is a player, athlete, or team that is competing in a semi-final. n-count
semi-precious
in AM, also use semiprecious
Semi-precious stones are stones such as turquoises and amethysts that are used in jewellery but are less valuable than precious stones such as diamonds and rubies. adj usu ADJ n
semi-professional
in AM, also use semiprofessional
Semi-professional sports players, musicians, and singers receive some money for playing their sport or for performing but they also have an ordinary job as well. adj
...a semi-professional country musician...
semi-skilled , semiskilled
A semi-skilled worker has some training and skills, but not enough to do specialized work. (BUSINESS) adj usu ADJ n
semi-skimmed milk
Semi-skimmed milk or semi-skimmed is milk from which some of the cream has been removed.
(BRIT) n-uncount
in AM, use one percent milk, two percent milk
semi-trailer ( semi-trailers plural ) , semitrailer A semi-trailer is the long rear section of a truck or lorry that can bend when it turns.
(AM) n-count
in BRIT, use trailer
semi-tropical , semitropical
1 adj Semi-tropical places have warm, wet air.
usu ADJ n
...a semi-tropical island.
2 adj Semi-tropical plants and trees grow in places where the air is warm and wet.
usu ADJ n
The inn has a garden of semi-tropical vegetation.