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
In the other semifinal matchup, Estudiantes de La Plata will face defending champion Flamengo in the first leg in Argentina on Thursday. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Jones, which has reached state semifinal games in six of the past seven seasons, needs to handle a Lake Wales team that took DeLand to the wire in the season opener, losing 35-34. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
Lower and mid-tier bowl games might become extinct, although the six prominent bowls on and around New Year’s Day — Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, Orange, Cotton and Peach — should continue to host the CFP quarterfinals and semifinals. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 The brand sold out of 800 satin bomber jackets priced at $395 during the NBA semifinals, while sales during the NBA Finals surged fivefold, according to the company. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 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 20 Oct. 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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