English pronunciation · Words Starting with S
Semi Pronunciation
Semi is pronounced SE-mee, IPA /ˈsɛmaɪ/.
SE-mee
US /ˈsɛmaɪ/ · UK /ˈsɛmi/
Syllables: SE · mee (2 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
noun and prefix: Half or partly, and in Britain a house joined to one other.
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Semi in a Sentence
- They bought a semi near the station.
- The team went out in the semi.
- Semi-skilled work made up most of the vacancies.
Common Mispronunciations of Semi
Not suh-MY
SE holds the force at the front, whichever way you say the ending.
Not SHE-mee
That s is a plain hiss. Nothing in the spelling turns it into a sh.
Tip: Americans usually say SE-my and the British usually say SE-mee. Both readings are standard, and the same split runs through semifinal.
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