semifinal

1 of 3

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 3

noun (1)

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

semifinalist

3 of 3

noun (2)

semi·​finalist "+ 

: any of the contestants who meet in the semifinal round or heat of an elimination contest

Examples of semifinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The 2027 season is set to be the first year the UIL will have predetermined sites for the semifinal games. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026

Nu Stadium will host the semifinal matches, the bronze final and the championship match of the tournament in January. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026

Noun

Ole Miss was a pass breakup away from beating Miami during last season’s College Football Playoff semifinals and beat LSU 32-24 last weekend in a clash with former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

Ukraine will play the winner of Thursday's later fourth quarterfinal between two-time defending champion Italy and China in the semifinals, which is scheduled to be played Saturday. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

semifinal + -ist

First Known Use

Adjective

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

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