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

For the first time ever, going all the way back to 1877, a year will pass without a player with a single-handed backhand reaching a major semifinal. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

The Americans have also won 34 consecutive World Cup games since losing to Russia in the 2006 semifinals. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 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