finalist

noun

fi·​nal·​ist ˈfī-nə-list 

: a contestant in a competition finals

Examples of finalist in a Sentence

They interviewed all of the finalists before making a decision.

a finalist in the tennis tournament

Recent Examples on the Web

Fondazione Sozzani’s creative director Sara Sozzani Maino said that the other two finalists will be invited again by the foundation to present their work during upcoming initiatives. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2026

Prior to the win announcement the ten finalists, five Spanish and five from elsewhere in Europe, pitched their projects with each given a strict 10 minutes to present and field questions. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

Venable was a finalist for the Royals managerial opening in 2023 that went to Matt Quatraro. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026

The event will feature a five-course prix fixe meal with a menu created by James Beard award finalist and the first-ever indigenous contestant on the cooking program Chopped Chef Crystal Wahpepah of Wahpepah’s Kitchen in Oakland. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

final entry 1 + -ist entry 1

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

finalist

noun

fi·​nal·​ist ˈfīn-ᵊl-əst 

: a contestant in the finals of a competition