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

Its semifinal loss to the Cardinals dropped it from No. 4 to No. 12. —Ned Griffen, Hartford Courant, 16 Dec. 2024

The Bucks improved to 11-1 all-time in NBA Cup games, with their only loss coming in the semifinal last year. —Jacob Lev, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024

Noun

The Tigers are 1-4 in semifinals, beginning with a 1990 loss to Cardinal Gibbons. —Staff Reports, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Dec. 2024

Even newish presenter Alison Hammond, who has found her footing as the sunny circle to veteran Noel Fielding’s offbeat line, turned personal a moment, delivering a pep talk about positive thinking to keep pediatric nurse Georgie Grasso from quitting the semifinal. —Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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