A semicolon is a punctuationsymbols in writing that help show pauses, structure, or meaning mark used to link closely related clausesgroups of words with a subject and verb or to separate items in a complexmade of many connected parts; not simple list. It sits between a comma and a period in strength.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /SEM-ee-KOH-lən/
Easy pronunciation: SEM-ee-KOH-luhn (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the third syllable: KOH.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Semicolon Meaning
A punctuation mark used to join related parts of a sentence.
Part of speech: noun
Definition: A punctuation mark (; ) used to connect independent clauses or separate related items in a list.
Example: She wanted to go to the concert; however, she had to work late.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use a semicolon where a comma, period, or colon is needed.
- A semicolon does not end a sentence; it joins closely related parts of one.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of semicolon?
A semicolon is a punctuation mark used to connect closely related clauses or separate items in a list.
What is a semicolon used for?
It is used mainly to link related independent clauses and to make complex lists easier to read.
Is a semicolon a type of punctuation?
Yes. A semicolon is a punctuation mark.
What are semicolon synonyms?
There are no common everyday synonyms for semicolon in normal usage.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.