The Meaning of Quasi: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of quasi? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the term quasi, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word quasi mean?

According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language as well as other dictionaries like American Heritage and Collins English Dictionary, the word quasi is an adjective that means having a resemblance by possession of certain attributes, or having some legal status only by operation and without referencing intent. This is often used as a combining form with other words, as some adjectives do. This can be used with a hyphen, i.e. quasi-. This is a great word to add to your vocabulary. The pronunciation of quasi is ˈkwā-sī, and a variant of these pronunciations includes a zi sound instead of a si. Try using it in a sentence or with the combining form of a word today!

While there are not many translations of quasi since it comes from the original Latin, there are many different words that make use of the combining form of the word quasi. Sometimes these words use a hyphen, and sometimes they do not. The below list of related words is provided by Word Sense.

  • quasi-personal
  •  quasi-official
  •  quasi-judicial
  •  quasi-modal
  •  quasi-peak
  •  quasit
  •  quasi-public
  •  quasifunction
  •  quasi-romantic
  •  quasi-ethical
  •  quasi-ossianic
  •  quasi-copula
  •  quasi-object
  •  quasielastic
  •  quasi-miraculous
  •  quasi-partner
  •  quasisimple
  •  quasi-molecular
  •  quasiseperable
  •  quasi-simultaneous
  •  quasi-implication
  •  quasi-episcopal
  •  quasidihedral
  •  quasi-material
  •  quasi-purposive
  •  quasipositive
  •  quasi-bialgebra
  •  quasi-automatic
  •  quasi-monastic
  •  quasi-belief
  •  quasi-permanent
  •  quasithin
  •  quasi-totality
  •  quasi-vacuity
  •  quasistatic
  •  quasi-contract
  •  quasilocal
  •  quasifield
  •  quasi-ethically
  •  quasi-religion
  •  quasi-grammatical
  •  quasi-miracle
  •  quasicontraction
  •  quasi-verb
  •  quasi-hallucinatory
  •  quasi-marital
  •  quasi-colloquial
  •  quasi-philosophical
  •  quasi-science
  •  quasi-stationary
  •  quasidirect
  •  quasiregular
  •  quasi-feudal
  •  quasiprojective
  •  quasi-fascist
  •  quasi-universal
  •  quasi-contractual
  •  quasi-existence
  •  quasi-stellar object
  •  quasimode
  •  quasi-continuous
  •  quasi-war
  •  quasimetric
  •  quasi-instantaneous
  •  quasi-molecule
  •  quasi-legal
  •  quasi-quotation
  •  quasi-logical
  •  quasi-dereliction
  •  quasi-semi
  •  quasi-general
  •  quasi-statement
  •  quasi-scientific
  •  quasi-sensation
  •  quasinormal
  •  quasi in rem
  •  quasisteady
  •  quasi-metaphysical
  •  quasi-religious
  •  quasi-governmental
  •  quasi-horizontal
  •  quasifission
  •  quasi-metallic
  •  quasi-eternal
  •  quasi-military
  •  quasi-neutrality
  •  quasi-deify
  •  quasi-independent
  •  quasi-neutral
  •  quasi-mechanical
  •  quasi-quote
  •  quasi-optical
  •  quasiplatonic
  •  quasi-stellar radio source
  •  quasi-mechanistic
  •  quasispecies
  •  quasirhombicosidodecahedron
  •  quasitriangular
  •  quasitransitive
  •  quasitruncated
  •  quasi-jazz
  •  quasi parlato
  •  quasirandom
  •  quasi-mythical
  •  quasi-marriage
  •  quasistability
  •  quasi-physical
  •  quasi-universal
  •  quasitopological
  •  quasi-simultaneously
  •  quasi-stellar
  •  quasi-parlando
  •  quasiamicable
  •  quasiconformal
  •  quasiparticle
  •  quasi-crystalline
  •  Quasimodo
  •  quasi-technical
  •  quasi-mathematical
  •  quasi-continuum
  •  quasi-thermodynamic
  •  quasi-substance
  •  quasi-emperor
  •  quasiromantic
  •  quasi-classic
  •  quasiatom
  •  quasi-arithmetical
  •  quasinorm
  •  quasiperfect
  •  quasi-dying
  •  quasi-divine
  •  quasi-nuptial
  •  quasicrystal
  •  quasigroup
  •  quasiballistic
  •  quasi-definition
  •  quasi-equilibrium
  •  quasi-invariant
  •  quasi-automatically
  •  quasi-art
  •  quasiperiodic
  •  quasirhombicuboctahedron
  •  quasi-crime
  •  quasi-totalitarian
  •  quasiaesthetic
  •  quasidiploid
  •  quasi-monopoly
  •  quasidominance
  •  quasi-historical
  •  quasi argument
  •  quasi success
  •  quasi definition

According to Shabdkosh, Quasi is also an American Indie rock band from Portland, Oregon. The band was formed in 1993 by former spouses Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss. Joanna Bolme was the bassist.

How can the word quasi be used in a sentence?

The Latin quasi can be used as a combining form in many different sentences. Using words in a sentence is a great way to memorize their definition. One can also make flashcards or quizzes to help memorize a definition. Below are many examples of quasi. 

The child tried to follow his father’s tracking of the major meals of a day by creating his own lists, but he really just created a quasi-list of snacks to try.

The professor at Princeton University acted as quasi-emperor, through his power was to a limited extent.

The highschooler bragged that she got her license, but her quasi-legal learner’s permit was what she really obtained.

What is the origin of the word quasi?

According to Etymonline, the word quasi has been used as an adverb and adjective since the late 15th century Middle English. This Latin word is used in the original Latin in hypothetical comparisons and one simply knows the translation. This word comes from the Latin quam, meaning as. This relative pronominal adverb of manner comes from the Proto-Indo-European root kwo, and si, a conditional particle from the Proto-Indo-European stem swo

What are synonyms and antonyms of quasi?

There are many words and phrases that one can use in place of the word quasi. These are known as synonyms, which are a great way to avoid repeating yourself and expand your English language vocabulary. This list of synonyms is provided by Thesaurus.

  •  seemingly
  •  mock
  •  so-called
  •  pretended
  •  partly
  •  almost
  •  supposedly
  •  would-be
  •  synthetic
  •  apparent
  •  fake
  •  semi-
  •  apparently
  •  seeming
  •  nominal
  •  sham
  •  pseudo-
  •  near
  •  virtual

There are also many opposite words, known as antonyms, for the word quasi. Learning antonyms is a quick and easy way to expand your English language vocabulary. The list of antonyms that is listed below is also provided by Thesaurus.

  •  strictly
  •  correctly
  •  on the nail
  •  totally
  •  on the nose
  •  utterly
  •  indeed
  •  severely
  •  no mistake
  •  truly
  •  the ticket
  •  precisely
  •  scrupulously
  •  unerringly
  •  on the money
  •  faithfully
  •  accurately
  •  veraciously
  •  wholly
  •  completely
  •  literally
  •  absolutely
  •  altogether
  •  specifically
  •  definitely
  •  methodically
  •  bang
  •  for certain
  •  sharp
  •  just
  •  faultlessly
  •  for sure
  •  on the dot
  •  in every respect
  •  quite
  •  right
  •  particularly
  •  rigorously
  •  carefully
  •  truthfully
  •  positively
  •  square
  •  exactly
  •  explicitly
  •  expressly
  •  for a fact
  •  unequivocally

Overall, the word quasi (adj.)i is also used as an interrogative adverb uand comes from Indo-European roots. This word is used to mean resembling, or comparative to. Try using flashcards or making quizzes for yourself to memorize this word’s meaning!

Sources:

  1. quasi-: meaning, origin, synonyms | Word Sense 
  2. quasi | Origin and meaning of quasi | Online Etymology Dictionary 
  3. Quasi | Definition of Quasi | Merriam-Webster 
  4. quasi – Meaning in Telugu | Shabdkosh 
  5. QUASI Synonyms: 21 Synonyms & Antonyms for QUASI | Thesaurus 
  6. EXACTLY Synonyms: 52 Synonyms & Antonyms for EXACTLY | Thesaurus