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

Dallas had lost its last eight Game 1s, including the one that lifted the curtain on last spring’s West semifinal tussle with the Avs. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2025

The semifinal fixtures are now confirmed, with PSG to face the Londoners and Barcelona taking on the Italian giants with a coveted spot in the final up for grabs. —Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025

Noun

Perhaps most impressive, Vancouver reached the Champions Cup semifinals by knocking off Mexican league powers Monterrey and Pumas. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025

Tyler Warren, Penn State tight end Height, weight: 6-5, 256 Why the Bears will draft him: Warren is a do-it-all weapon, helping Penn State reach the College Football Playoff semifinals last season. —Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2025

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