semifinal

1 of 2

adjective

semi·​fi·​nal ˌse-mē-ˈfī-nᵊl How to pronounce semifinal (audio)
ˌse-ˌmī-, 
-mi-
Synonyms of semifinalnext
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 How to pronounce semifinal (audio)
ˈse-ˌmī-, 
-mi-
1
: a semifinal match
2
: a semifinal round
semifinalist
ˌse-mē-ˈfī-nᵊl-ist How to pronounce semifinal (audio)
ˌse-ˌmī-, 
-mi-
noun

Examples of semifinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Versatile senior Matthew Candler has developed into a key player for Morton, which plays Lowell in a Class 4A sectional semifinal Friday night. — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026 The Rams are 3-0 against Brantley this season, but their district semifinal victory was a tight 27-25, 25-15, 20-25, 19-25, 16-14. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
Last year, Strong and Fudd led UConn to 38 wins in a row before the loss to South Carolina in the national semifinals. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026 Naperville Central's Colin Barczi (14) celebrates his home run with coach Mike Stock against West Aurora during a Class 4A Waubonsie Valley Regional semifinal on Thursday, May 26, 2022. — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for semifinal

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of semifinal was in 1884

Rhymes for semifinal

See All Rhymes for semifinal

Browse Nearby Words

semifeudal
semifinal
semifinalist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Semifinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semifinal. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

semifinal

1 of 2 adjective
semi·​fi·​nal ˌsem-i-ˈfīn-ᵊl How to pronounce semifinal (audio)
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 How to pronounce semifinal (audio)
: a semifinal match or game
semifinalist
ˌsem-i-ˈfīn-ᵊl-əst How to pronounce semifinal (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on semifinal

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