semifinal

1 of 3

adjective

semi·fi·nal ˌse-mē-ˈfī-nᵊl

ˌse-ˌmī-,

-mi-

Synonyms of semifinal

: being next to the last in an elimination tournament

: of or participating in a semifinal

semifinal

2 of 3

noun (1)

semi·fi·nal ˈse-mē-ˌfī-nᵊl

ˈse-ˌmī-,

-mi-

: a semifinal match

: a semifinal round

semifinalist

ˌse-mē-ˈfī-nᵊl-ist

ˌse-ˌmī-,

-mi-

noun

semifinalist

3 of 3

noun (2)

semi·finalist "+

: any of the contestants who meet in the semifinal round or heat of an elimination contest

Examples of semifinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Adjective

Inès Khiris and Amira Braham scored for Algeria, which will face the winner of Sunday's quarterfinal between Malawi and Ghana in a semifinal Wednesday in Rabat. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026 In a men’s semifinal match, Roger Federer outlasts Juan Martin del Potro in a 19-17 final set and clinches his first Olympic singles medal. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Noun

Lineker scored four goals in the 1990 World Cup in Italy, helping England reach the semifinals before losing to West Germany in a penalty shootout. — Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026 In the first semifinal, Swiatek broke Svitolina’s serve at love for a 5-3 lead in the third set. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for semifinal

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

semifinal + -ist

First Known Use

Adjective

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of semifinal was in 1884

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

semifeudal

semifinal

semifinalist

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Semifinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semifinal. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

semifinal

1 of 2 adjective

semi·fi·nal ˌsem-i-ˈfīn-ᵊl

: coming before the final round in a tournament

: 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

semifinal

adjective

noun (1)

noun (2)

Examples of semifinal in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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semifinal

adjective

noun (1)

noun (2)

Examples of semifinal in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for semifinal

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Kids Definition

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