quasi

1 of 2

adjective

qua·​si ˈkwā-ˌzī 

-ˌsī;

ˈkwä-zē 

-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

Adjective

Middleton was the matching salary in the unexpected quasi-blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to Washington. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026

The quasi legals were on the first floor above them, Bangladeshis cooking the food. —Rebecca Traister, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026

Parallel giant slalom requires speed and precision as riders race side-by-side downhill, slaloming around the gates on two separate quasi-identical courses. —Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026

Fennell teases out the tricky evolution of the characters’ deep bond, from steadfast sibling affection toward a combative, quasi-incestuous desire. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026

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

Phrases Containing quasi

• quasi-governmental
• quasi-judicial
• quasi-legislative
• quasi-public
• quasi-stellar object

Rhymes for quasi

• aussie
• basi
• bossy
• fossae
• glossy
• khasi
• lossy
• masi
• mossy
• posse
• saucy
• bagasse

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

qua·​si ˈkwā-ˌzī, -ˌsī; ˈkwä-zē, -sē 

: 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