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 Highlanders all-underclass boys team lost four tiebreakers in a heartbreaking 4-3 semifinal loss against Alonso Mourning of Miami. —Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026

Eight matches will be hosted at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, including two early matches with tournament favorite Spain and a semifinal match. —Irene Wright, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

Noun

In a historic display of dominance, the Knicks punched first and just kept pounding in Thursday night’s 140-89 victory in Game 6 at State Farm Arena to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026

The Knicks will face the winner of the Boston Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers series in the Eastern Conference semifinals. —Maura Carey, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026

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