quasi

1 of 2

adjective

qua·​si ˈkwā-ˌzī How to pronounce quasi (audio)
-ˌsī;
ˈkwä-zē How to pronounce quasi (audio)
-sē
1
: having some resemblance usually by possession of certain attributes
a quasi corporation
2
: having a legal status only by operation or construction of law and without reference to intent
a quasi contract

quasi-

2 of 2

combining form

1
: in some sense or degree
quasiperiodic
quasi-judicial
2
: resembling in some degree
quasiparticle

Examples of quasi in a Sentence

Adjective And as more people adopt these teachings as quasi religions, some adherents say their belief systems are no less valid than those based on that older collection of maxims, the Ten Commandments. Daniel McGinn, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2000
But also, bachelors, more than married people, blended the two spheres by making their public, non-familial peer group and other associations into quasi families and by carrying on their personal affairs in mostly public or semipublic places such as boardinghouses, saloons, the streets, clubhouses, and the like. Howard P. Chudacoff, The Age of the Bachelor, 1999
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Recorded live in front of an audience, the podcast is a quasi–open mic, where comedians’ names are drawn from a bucket, then they are given one minute to perform stand-up, which is then critiqued by a panel of comedians. Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024 Potential cult members are love-bombed, praised, encouraged to join and reap the rewards that are promised to arrive, suspiciously, after the prospect hands over all their money to their new quasi family. Lisa Levy, Washington Post, 22 July 2024 This week, Parker and her co-star Sarita Choudhury, who plays Carrie’s cigarette-smoking best friend (and quasi Samantha replacement), Seema, were photographed in Washington Square Park while shooting a scene this week. Anna Tingley, Variety, 21 May 2024 Patterson Mill’s defensive effort and ability to sink free throws late earned it a quasi court storm from Huskies classmates in attendance. Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 6 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for quasi 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

quasi-

Combining form

Latin quasi as if, as it were, approximately, from quam as + si if — more at quantity, so

First Known Use

Adjective

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quasi was in 1632

Dictionary Entries Near quasi

Cite this Entry

“Quasi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quasi. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

quasi-

combining form
qua·​si-
ˈkwā-ˌzī,
-ˌsī;
ˈkwäz-ē,
ˈkwäs-
: in some sense or degree
quasi-historical
quasi-officially
Etymology

Combining form

from Latin quasi "as if"

Legal Definition

quasi

1 of 2 adjective
: having such a resemblance to another thing as to fall within its general category
a quasi corporation

quasi

2 of 2 adverb
: in some significant sense or degree
often used in combination
quasi-fiscal
see also quasi-judicial, quasi-legislative
Etymology

Adjective

Latin, as if, as it were, from quam as + si if

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