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

The upcoming Indian Wells tournament will be the 10th time Williams plays at the WTA 1000 event, having reached the semifinal three times (1998, 2001, 2018) and competing most recently last year as a wild card. —Manasi Pathak, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

Even knowing what happened during the Olympics and remembering being in my apartment, standing up, pacing like a mad man and talking copious amounts of s– at Serbia and France during the semifinal round and gold medal game, respectively. —Zach Harper, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025

Noun

Both teams advanced to the conference semifinals but came up short, with LAFC losing to Seattle and Minnesota losing to the LA Galaxy. —Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025

The Saddleback boys basketball team was dealt a crushing loss Friday by Arroyo in the CIF-SS Division 5A semifinals at Saddleback High School. —Lou Ponsi, Orange County Register, 21 Feb. 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