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

That came one night after the Hawks (27-3) came back from a 3-0 deficit to win their semifinal match against Venice in five sets. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026

Glenbrook South coach Reggie Lara knew Stephan — who also scored the game-winning goal in overtime of a 2-1 semifinal victory over Lockport on Friday — would be ready to put his team over the top. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

Noun

But the Kansas City Current were supposed to depart Friday for their semifinal against Gotham FC on Sunday in New York, and team officials were uncertain when their flight would be allowed to leave. — Dave Skretta, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2026

The top eight singles players and doubles teams from the WTA Tour and ATP Tour will come together in November to compete in a round-robin tournament before moving on to the semifinals and finals. — Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 13 Nov. 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