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SEM-ee/ˈsemi/

A semi in UK housing talk is a semi-detached house: joined to one neighbour, free on the other side. A terrace is joined in a row; a detached house stands alone. In US English a semi is usually an articulated lorry, so do not mix the meanings. Informal countable: a three-bed semi.

Meaning

A semi-detached house, joined to one neighbour (UK informal).

Examples

• “They bought a three-bed semi on a quiet estate.”
• “Their semi shares a driveway with next door, which can be awkward on bin day.”
• “We looked at a semi near the station because a detached house was too expensive.”

Good to know

a semi (UK) = a semi-detached house. Contrast: a terrace / a detached house. US semi often = a lorry.

Near in meaning

semi-detached house

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