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

And in 2012, prior to beating Denver South 17-14 at the Broncos’ stadium, Monarch used a slow-tempo offense and a successful onside kick to possess the ball for the entire fourth quarter in a 14-6 semifinal win over Pueblo West. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2026

The streak began after the Wildcats lost a tight 3-2 region semifinal match to Hagerty in 2022. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026

Noun

Jenks last title came in 2021 and the Trojans went 10-2 last season, losing in the state semifinals. — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026

Athletic will be back at home to face Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday, and then welcomes the Colorado Switchbacks for their USL Cup semifinal on September 8. — Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 27 Aug. 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