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

Both are favorites to win semifinal games Friday in Naples. —Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2026

We’ll be hard pushed to see a better semifinal tie in Champions League memory. —Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 6 May 2026

Noun

The Knicks went on to defeat the Sixers, 108-102, to take a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals with the series shifting to Philadelphia for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 May 2026

Vinnie Pasquantino became the charismatic face of Team Italy, including with three home runs in one game, and Jac Caglianone homered with four RBIs and five walks to help the Italian team to the semifinals. —Kansas City Star, 7 May 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