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

Despite the odds, Coastal’s perfect postseason and LSU’s taxing semifinal path could make this matchup closer than the numbers suggest. —Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

Samuel Eastaugh, utility, St. Thomas Aquinas junior: Team captain; registered 67 goals, 59 assists and 51 steals; scored seven goals in regional semifinal win; scored 16 goals in four playoff games; USA Water Polo Academic All-American Outstanding Honors recipient. —Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2025

Noun

In the semifinals, the team easily took care of Louisville, winning 11-3. —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025

The JSerra duo of Emma Champagne and Sara Moynihan made it to the CIF-SS pairs semifinals. —Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 18 June 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