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

So when the Irish floundered through two losses in the final week of the regular season, then bounced out of the ACC Tournament with a semifinal loss to Duke, Ivey knew what to ask of her team: Respond. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025

Corona recorded its ninth shutout in 10 games with an 9-0 semifinal win over JSerra. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025

Noun

Both schools’ football teams advanced to NCAA FCS semifinals last season and SDSU’s women’s basketball team pulled off an impressive first-round NCAA tournament upset this month against Oklahoma State. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2025

The Gators defeated Texas Tech this past Saturday to advance to the semifinals. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 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