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
Analysts say the latest developments in Sino-Russian relations reinforce longstanding suspicions defense cooperation between the quasi allies runs deeper than Beijing lets on. Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 Even if Mamdani does not enact any policy that is remotely quasi-socialist, his reputation is preceding him with the federal government, which has made ominous noises about its future relationship with the country’s largest city. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025 Humberto is weakening the quasi-permanent ridge over Bermuda and opening up a path to pull Imelda behind it. Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2025 Less well known is the work of the National Endowment for Democracy, a quasi-autonomous agency whose government funding is currently in legal limbo. Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Quasi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quasi. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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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