What Does Semi-detached Mean?

The term semi-detached could be written as semidetached. It is composed of two words- semi and detached. Semi is the Latin word and is generally used as prefix. It means 'half' or 'partially', incompletely or somewhat. The second word detached means separated or disconnected. Thus, semi-detached is used to describe something that is partially or partly detached from something. For example: he fixed a semi-detached plug. It describes that the plug was partly detached or not properly fixed into the electric socket.

Detached also means separate from others. In this sense, semi-detached is used to describe something that is attached to something else on one side only. For example: the house had a semi-detached garage. Here, semi-detached conveys that the garage was attached to the house on one of its sides.