How to pronounce semi
Say it like SEM-ee. Semi has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce semi. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEM
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Semi pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of semi
American and British speakers say semi in essentially the same way: /ˈsɛmi/ in the US and /ˈsɛmi/ in the UK.
British respelling: SEM-ee.
What does semi mean?
- one of the two competitions in the next to the last round of an elimination tournament
- a truck consisting of a tractor and trailer together
- a trailer having wheels only in the rear; the front is supported by the towing vehicle
Where does semi come from?
The prefix semi- (from Latin) used as a noun.
Questions about saying semi
How do you pronounce semi?
Say SEM-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɛmi/. In British English it is /ˈsɛmi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in semi?
Semi has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEM). Broken into parts: SEM · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say semi the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɛmi/ and the British form is /ˈsɛmi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.