quasi

[ kwey-zahy, -sahy, kwah-see, -zee ]

/ ˈkweɪ zaɪ, -saɪ, ˈkwɑ si, -zi /

Save This Word!

adjective

resembling; seeming; virtual: a quasi member.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of quasi

Independent use of quasi-

Other definitions for quasi (2 of 2)

quasi-

a combining form meaning “resembling,” “having some, but not all of the features of,” used in the formation of compound words: quasi-definition; quasi-monopoly; quasi-official; quasi-scientific.

Origin of quasi-

<Latin quasi as if, as though, equivalent to qua(m) as + sī if

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH quasi-

pseudo-, quasi-

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use quasi in a sentence

And, every election, we have our quasi-comic-relief candidates, your Al Haigs and Gary Bauers and Bill Richardsons.
Be the Smarter Bush Brother, Jeb: Don’t Run!|Michael Tomasky|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They are often set in quasi-rural areas, with vast parking lots and vacant land surrounding them.
Charging Up|The Daily Beast|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Southerners had history, ethnicity, culture, slavery, religion, and a quasi-aristocratic honor society to hold them together.
America’s Slumbering Secession Obsession|James Poulos|September 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
How does one punish the autocratic, omnipotent president of a quasi-superpower?
Best Way to Punish Putin? No World Cup|Tunku Varadarajan|July 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In the quasi religious world of EDM (electronic dance music), Avicii is on par with God himself.
Don't Blame Avicii For His Druggy Tour|Abby Haglage|June 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Vulgate translates: “Et obviabit illi quasi mater honorificata, et quasi mulier a virginitate suscipiet illum.”
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
In the New Testament a few examples appear in which his utterances are given a quasi-judicial tone.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
Sometimes societies of a quasi religious character exist which persons join, surrendering their property and receiving support.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
Atque, vt non putaret, hc nobis auctoribus gesta esse, perinde tamen poste in nos affectus fuit quasi credidisset.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
These resemble corporations in some ways, and this is the reason for calling them quasi corporations.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles

British Dictionary definitions for quasi (1 of 2)

quasi

/ (ˈkweɪzaɪ, -saɪ, ˈkwɑːzɪ) /

adverb

as if; as it were

Word Origin for quasi

from Latin, literally: as if

British Dictionary definitions for quasi (2 of 2)

quasi-

combining form

almost but not really; seeminglya quasi-religious cult

resembling but not actually being; so-calleda quasi-scholar

Word Origin for quasi-

from L., lit: as if

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

quasi

Origin of quasi

Other definitions for quasi (2 of 2)

Origin of quasi-

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH quasi-

Words related to quasi

How to use quasi in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for quasi (1 of 2)

Word Origin for quasi

British Dictionary definitions for quasi (2 of 2)

Word Origin for quasi-