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

Winning two of three games in the first round and a conference semifinal match Monday on a subpar home pitch made coach Mikey Varas’ club just the second expansion squad in MLS’ 30 years to reach a conference final. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025

Clampitt scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to help the Indians pull away for 64-13 win against Springtown in a Class 4A Division I regional semifinal Friday at Knight Stadium at Eagle Mountain High School. —Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Nov. 2025

Noun

The Loons’ season ends in the West semifinals for a second straight year. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 25 Nov. 2025

Mater Dei took care of the ball better in the semifinals. —Dan Albano, Oc Register, 24 Nov. 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