quarterfinal

1 of 2

noun

quar·​ter·​fi·​nal ˌkwȯ(r)-tər-ˈfī-nᵊl 

1

quarterfinals plural : a quarterfinal round

2

: a quarterfinal match

quarterfinalist

ˌkwȯ(r)-tər-ˈfī-nᵊl-ist 

noun

quarterfinal

2 of 2

adjective

1

: immediately preceding the semifinal in an elimination tournament

2

: of or participating in a quarterfinal

Examples of quarterfinal in a Sentence

Noun

He lost in the quarterfinal.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On New Year’s Day at Hard Rock Stadium, O stood for Oregon — and the zero that Texas Tech had on its side of the scoreboard in the Capital One Orange Bowl that served as a College Football Playoff quarterfinal. —Susan Miller Degnan, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2026

The Red Raiders won the Big 12 for the first time, and will play Oregon in the Orange Bowl, the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff, on New Year’s Day. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Forward and quarterfinal goal scorer Jamiro Reber, who is from Munsingen, about an hour and a half north of the community, said the team made the decision together with the staff. —Corey Pronman, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026

Matayo Uiagalelei caused a fumble to set up an Oregon touchdown, Jordon Davison rushed for two scores and the Ducks silenced Texas Tech’s offense for a quarterfinal win at the Orange Bowl. —Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for quarterfinal

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