semifinal

1 of 2

adjective

semi·​fi·​nal ˌse-mē-ˈfī-nᵊl 

ˌse-ˌmī-, 

-mi-

1

: being next to the last in an elimination tournament

2

: of or participating in a semifinal

semifinal

2 of 2

noun

semi·​fi·​nal ˈse-mē-ˌfī-nᵊl 

ˈse-ˌmī-, 

-mi-

1

: a semifinal match

2

: a semifinal round

semifinalist

ˌse-mē-ˈfī-nᵊl-ist 

ˌse-ˌmī-, 

-mi-

noun

Examples of semifinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In Dallas, a semifinal floor of $3,606 is more than double the local median payment of $1,735. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 2 July 2026

Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde suffered muscle injuries in the same game, which was the Copa del Rey semifinal second leg won 3-0 against Atletico Madrid. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Noun

The winner of Saturday’s match advances to the Wednesday semifinal in Atlanta and will face the winner of Saturday’s evening game between Argentina and Switzerland. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026

Getty Images Arthur Fery’s dream run at Wimbledon came to an end in the semifinals, but the British wildcard scored a huge payday during the fortnight. — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for semifinal

• anticlinal
• entorhinal
• isoclinal
• polyvinyl
• transvaginal
• affinal
• anginal
• synclinal
• vaginal
• final
• pinal
• spinal

Kids Definition

semifinal

1 of 2 adjective

semi·​fi·​nal ˌsem-i-ˈfīn-ᵊl 

1

: coming before the final round in a tournament

2

: of or taking part in a semifinal

semifinal

2 of 2 noun

semi·​fi·​nal ˈsem-i-ˌfīn-ᵊl 

: a semifinal match or game

semifinalist

ˌsem-i-ˈfīn-ᵊl-əst 

noun