demi-

American

a combining form appearing in loanwords from French meaning “half ” (demilune ), “lesser” (demitasse ), or sometimes used with a pejorative sense (demimonde ); on this model, also prefixed to words of English origin (demigod ).

demi- British

prefix

half Compare hemi- semi-

demirelief
of less than full size, status, or rank

demigod

"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

Etymology

Origin of demi-

< French, combining form representing demi (adj.; also noun and adv.) < Vulgar Latin *dīmedius, for Latin dīmidius half, equivalent to dī- di- ² + medius middle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Demi's death is still being investigated and area coroner Rose Farmer adjourned the inquest until 26 November.

From BBC

Her wider family described Demi as a "beloved" daughter, granddaughter, sister, cousin and niece.

From BBC

"Demi loved her friends, and she was loved by all," they added.

From BBC

Demi Edmunds, from Caldicot, Monmouthshire, died at the scene after emergency services were called to the A4042 in Cwmbran, Torfaen, on 12 February.

From BBC

If you go right back to the archives we had Demi Stokes, Claire Rafferty and Rachel Unit who were left-sided players.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023