What does demie in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word demie in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use demie in French.

The word demie in French means half-, and a half, half past, half past, demi, half a litre, half-litre, half-back, half-caste, half-breed, half, semiconscious, half-asleep, semi-naked, semi-nude, half-naked, partially clothed, semi-clothed, half-dressed, tacitly, implicitly, slightly salted butter, mixed fortunes, mixed results, room with half-board, semi-dry champagne, read between the lines, middle-distance runner, middle-distance race, while you are half-asleep, while you are still half-asleep, fly-half, scrum-half, half back, semimajor axis, knee sock, knee high, half-bottle, half a bottle, half-brigade, en dash, semicircle, truffled, marbled white, half-mourning dress, half mourning, demigod, half a dozen, half a dozen, ray, semi-final, semifinalist, semi-finalist, middle-distance, half-brother, retail-wholesale, spat, demi-habillé, half an hour, half-light, semi-darkness, half a day, half a litre, half a pound, half-pound, half a length, half-moon, lunette, not too much harm, half measure, made-to-measure clothing, half-boner, chub, kept man, kept woman, implicit meaning, minim rest, half-board, day student, day pupil who eats lunch in the school canteen, half-price seats, half-price places, children's seats, shorty, shortie, spring, slightly salted, slightly salted cream cheese, slightly salted butter, half a century, half-sister, half-sleep, only half-awake, quaver rest, half-price, half-price ticket, halftone, half-hearted tone, semitone, U-turn, Right about face!, half truth, half-life, median life expectancy, half-volley, half-moon, underwhelming, subdued, have school meals, have school lunches, eat lunch at school, stay half board, be half-asleep, be only half-awake, be in a semi-somnolent state, do things by half, turn around, do a U-turn, make a U-turn, do a U-turn, make a U-turn, do things by halves, make a U-turn, a fault confessed is half redressed, win by half a length, there is not too much harm done, open halfway, a sin confessed is half-forgiven, baby grand, baby grand piano, every half an hour, every thirty minutes, spring clothes, semi-dry wine, medium dry wine. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word demie

half-

préfix (moitié de [qch])

(prefix: Added to front of word stem--for example, unsaid = un+said.)
Pour cette recette, il faut une demi-plaquette de beurre.
For this recipe, you need half a pack of butter.

and a half

locution adjectivale (et la moitié de l'unité)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ce chapitre fait trois pages et demie. Mon petit frère a 10 ans et demi. Ce film dure une heure et demie.
This chapter is three and a half pages. My little brother is ten and a half. That film goes on for an hour and a half.

half past

locution adjectivale (et 30 minutes) (time)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il est midi et demi. Il est 10 heures et demie.
It's half ten.

half past

nom féminin (un peu familier (30 minutes après l'heure) (informal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
- Il est quelle heure ? - La demie. Je ne pourrai finalement pas venir à 20h. On se retrouve à la demie plutôt ?
What time is it? Half past. It turns out I'm not going to be able to come at 8. Can we meet at half past instead?

demi

nom masculin (verre de bière) (glass of beer)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Un demi correspond à 50 cl de bière en Belgique et à 25 cl en France.
"Do you want a pint?" "No, I'll just have a half, thanks."

half a litre, half-litre

nom masculin (demi-litre de vin) (wine: UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Elle a commandé un demi de rouge avec son entrecôte.
She asked for half a liter (or: a half-liter) of red wine with her rib steak.

half-back

(Sports : joueur entre les avants et les arrières) (sport)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce demi a marqué 3 essais durant le match.
The half-back scored three tries during the match.

half-caste, half-breed

nom masculin (métis) (offensive)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
En Polynésie, un demi est un métis d'européen et de polynésien.
In Polynesia, a Demi is a European and Polynesian half-caste (or: half-breed).

half

locution adverbiale (à moitié)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Je ne comprends qu'à demi.
I only half understand

semiconscious

locution adjectivale (presque sans connaissance)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Il n'était qu'à demi conscient quand on l'a emmené à l'hôpital après l'accident.

half-asleep

locution adjectivale (à moitié réveillé)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
J'ai dû emmener les enfants à demi endormis chez la nounou.

semi-naked, semi-nude, half-naked

locution adjectivale (partiellement habillé)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Il est maintenant interdit de se promener dans cette ville balnéaire à demi nu.

partially clothed, semi-clothed, half-dressed

locution adjectivale (partiellement habillé)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
À demi vêtu, il n'a pas été accepté dans ce restaurant.

tacitly, implicitly

locution adverbiale (implicitement, évasivement) (expression)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Il a avoué son crime à demi-mot.

slightly salted butter

nom masculin (beurre légèrement salé) (dairy product: UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le beurre demi-sel se mange souvent avec des crudités.

mixed fortunes, mixed results

nom masculin (situation mitigée)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
C'est une année moyenne, le bilan sera en demi-teinte

room with half-board

nom féminin (chambre avec repas du soir)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

semi-dry champagne

nom masculin (champagne un peu sucré)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

read between the lines

locution verbale (deviner le sens) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les psychologues comprennent souvent beaucoup de choses à demi-mot.

middle-distance runner

(coureur de 800 à 3000 mètres)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

middle-distance race

nom féminin (épreuve de 800 à 3000 m) (sports)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

while you are half-asleep, while you are still half-asleep

locution adverbiale (à moitié endormi)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il s'est habillé dans un demi-sommeil, il n'a pas pris les deux mêmes chaussettes.
He got dressed while he was still half-asleep; he's wearing odd socks.

fly-half

nom masculin (joueur de rugby) (rugby)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

scrum-half, half back

(type de joueur de rugby) (sports)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

semimajor axis

nom masculin (ellipse : moitié de grand axe)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

knee sock, knee high

nom masculin (chaussette montant jusqu'au genou)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Souvent, sous un pantalon, les femmes portent des demi-bas.

half-bottle

nom féminin (bouteille d'environ 37 cl)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La fillette est une demi-bouteille de vin.

half a bottle

nom féminin (contenu)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il a bu une demi-bouteille à lui tout seul.
He drank half a bottle by himself.

half-brigade

nom féminin (groupement de bataillons)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

en dash

nom masculin (longueur des espaces)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
On utilise le demi-cadratin pour un tiret à la fonction de virgule.

semicircle

nom masculin (moitié de cercle)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les enfants sont assis en demi-cercle devant le conteur.

truffled

locution adverbiale (cuisine : avec de la truffe sous la peau) (cookery)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

marbled white

nom masculin (type de papillon) (butterfly)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le demi-deuil est un papillon de taille moyenne.

half-mourning dress, half mourning

nom masculin (vêtement de fin de deuil)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

demigod

nom masculin (mi-homme, mi-dieu)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Achille était un demi-dieu.

half a dozen

nom féminin (six)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il me faut une demi-douzaine d’œufs pour ce plat.

half a dozen

nom féminin (environ six)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il doit me rester une demi-douzaine de crayons.

ray

nom féminin (Géométrie : moitié de droite) (Geometry)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

semi-final

nom féminin (phase avant la finale)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Notre équipe s'est qualifiée pour la demi-finale.

semifinalist, semi-finalist

nom masculin et féminin (personne en demi-finale)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les demi-finalistes s'entraînent pour leur match de vendredi. C'est la première fois que le Français est demi-finaliste du tournoi.

middle-distance

nom masculin (course à pied)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Les courses de demi-fond font entre 800 et 3000 mètres.

half-brother

nom masculin (lié par un seul parent)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Mon père et sa seconde femme ont eu un fils, Mathieu qui est mon demi-frère.
My Father and his second wife had a son, Mathieu, who is my half-brother.

retail-wholesale

nom masculin invariable (commerce intermédiaire)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il achète aux grossistes pour revendre au demi-gros.

spat

nom féminin (guêtre courte) (short gaiter)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les poilus avaient des demi-guêtres.

demi-habillé

nom masculin (costume du 1er empire) (historical, Gallicism)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

half an hour

nom féminin (30 minutes)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Je serai là dans une demi-heure.

half-light, semi-darkness

nom masculin (faible clarté)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chauffeur roulait doucement dans le demi-jour matinal.

half a day

nom féminin (matin ou après-midi)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'installation de ce programme prend une demi-journée.

half a litre

nom masculin (50cl)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il faut un demi-litre de lait pour cette recette.

half a pound, half-pound

nom féminin (environ 250 grammes) (weight)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
J'ai acheté une demi-livre de viande chez le boucher.
I bought half a pound (or: a half-pound) of meat from the butcher.

half a length

nom féminin (moitié de longueur)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce cheval a gagné la course d'une demi-longueur.

half-moon, lunette

nom féminin (ouvrage de fortification) (fortification)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La demi-lune ou ravelin protège souvent une porte d'entrée.

not too much harm

nom masculin (désagrément moindre)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il y a demi-mal, Pierre n'a qu'un bras cassé dans cet accident.

half measure

nom féminin (disposition insuffisante)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce n'est pas avec des demi-mesures que nous sortirons de cette situation.

made-to-measure clothing

nom féminin (Habillement, technique (confection personnalisée d'après patron)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

half-boner, chub

nom féminin (érection partielle) (vulgar, slang)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

kept man, kept woman

(péjoratif (personne entretenue par [qqn]) (dated)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

implicit meaning

nom masculin (sous-entendu)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce diplomate saisit toujours les demi-mots de ses interlocuteurs.

minim rest

nom féminin (Musique : silence de 2 temps) (UK, Music)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Respecte bien la pause, ici, et ne fais pas juste une demi-pause.

half-board

nom féminin (hébergement avec un repas)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
J'ai loué une chambre en demi-pension.

day student

nom féminin (déjeune à l'école)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il est lycéen en demi-pension.

day pupil who eats lunch in the school canteen

nom masculin et féminin (élève qui mange à la cantine)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les demi-pensionnaires ne mangent à la cantine que le midi.

half-price seats, half-price places, children's seats

nom féminin (place à moitié prix)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il y a des demi-places pour les enfants de moins de sept ans.

shorty, shortie

nom féminin (familier, péjoratif (personne petite) (pejorative, informal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

spring

nom féminin (période où la température est modérée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
En France, le printemps et l'automne sont des demi-saisons.

slightly salted

adjectif invariable (légèrement salé)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Le beurre demi-sel accompagne bien les fruits de mer.

slightly salted cream cheese

nom masculin invariable (fromage gras et frais)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le demi-sel est un fromage au lait cru du pays de Bray.

slightly salted butter

nom masculin invariable (beurre légèrement salé)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce demi-sel fait un excellent caramel.

half a century

nom masculin (cinquante ans)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cette entreprise compte déjà un demi-siècle d'existence.
This business has already been in existence for half a century.

half-sister

nom féminin (sœur par le père ou la mère) (sharing one parent with you)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Depuis que maman s'est remariée, j'ai deux demi-sœurs.

half-sleep, only half-awake

nom masculin (somnolence)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Avant de se lever, Paul reste parfois dans un état de demi-sommeil.

quaver rest

nom masculin (Musique : silence d'un 1/2 temps) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
En jouant, le musicien fait attention aux demi-soupirs.

half-price

adjectif invariable (à moitié prix)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Les enfants bénéficient souvent de billets demi-tarif.

half-price ticket

nom masculin (ticket à moitié prix)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Seuls les enfants de moins de 10 ans bénéficient du demi-tarif.

halftone

nom féminin (peinture : faible luminosité) (painting)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le peintre effectue un tableau en demi-teintes.

half-hearted tone

nom féminin (figuré (à moitié) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Octave lui fait des aveux en demi-teinte.

semitone

nom masculin (Musique : moitié d'un ton) (Music)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le dièse augmente une note d'un demi-ton.

U-turn

nom masculin (moitié de tour) (esp. driving)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les soldats ont fait demi-tour sur eux-mêmes.
The soldiers made an about-turn.

Right about face!

(commandement militaire) (military command)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

half truth

nom féminin (discours qui omet une part des pensées)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ses propos ne sont ni tout à fait vrais, ni tout à fait faux, ce ne sont que des demi-vérités.

half-life

nom féminin (physique : période)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

median life expectancy

nom féminin (durée moyenne de vie animale)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

half-volley

nom féminin (Sports : frappe juste après le rebond) (Sport)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce footballeur a marqué un superbe but de demi-volée.

half-moon

locution adverbiale (en forme semi-circulaire)

(noun as adjective: Describes another noun--for example, "boat race," "dogfood.")
Les tables en demi-lune sont parfaites pour les studios.

underwhelming, subdued

locution adjectivale (mitigé)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Notre équipe a gagné la coupe mais perdu le championnat, c'est une saison en demi-teinte.

have school meals, have school lunches, eat lunch at school

locution verbale (école : manger à la cantine)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les élèves habitants loin du collège sont en demi-pension.

stay half board

locution verbale (hôtel : avoir un repas inclus) (at hotel)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Nous serons en demi-pension dans cet hôtel.

be half-asleep, be only half-awake

locution verbale (être en somnolence)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Tant que nous n'avons pas bu notre café, nous sommes en demi-sommeil !

be in a semi-somnolent state

locution verbale (ralentissement d'activité)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Durant l'été, les entreprises de bâtiment sont en demi-sommeil.

do things by half

locution verbale (prendre des décisions insuffisantes)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

turn around, do a U-turn, make a U-turn

locution verbale (repartir d'où on vient)

Je ferai demi-tour au prochain carrefour.

do a U-turn, make a U-turn

locution verbale (figuré (se rétracter) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le gouvernement fait demi-tour face aux manifestations.

do things by halves

locution verbale (faire imparfaitement)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
On arrive à rien en faisant les choses à demi.

make a U-turn

locution verbale (repartir d'où l'on vient)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

a fault confessed is half redressed

(reconnaître ses torts est un bon début)

win by half a length

locution verbale (gagner avec une faible avance)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Nos avironneurs ont gagné d'une demi-longueur.

there is not too much harm done

(c'est moins grave que prévu)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
La tempête a cassé la vitre mais la porte a résisté, il n'y a que demi-mal.

open halfway

locution verbale (ouvrir à moitié)

Méfiant, il ouvrit à demi sa porte au facteur.

a sin confessed is half-forgiven

(on pardonne les fautes reconnues)

Il pense que péché avoué est à demi pardonné, mais il se trompe.

baby grand, baby grand piano

nom masculin (type de piano)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

every half an hour, every thirty minutes

locution adjectivale (chaque 30 minutes)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

spring clothes

nom masculin (vêtement pour temps variable)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Les vêtements de printemps sont des vêtements de demi-saison.

semi-dry wine, medium dry wine

nom masculin (vin un peu sucré) (alcoholic drink)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

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