semifinal

American  

[sem-ee-fahyn-l, sem-ahy-] / ˌsɛm iˈfaɪn l, ˌsɛm aɪ- /

adjective

1. of or relating to the round preceding the final one in a tournament from which losers are eliminated.

2. (in boxing) of or relating to the second most important bout on a card, usually immediately preceding the main bout.

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noun

• semifinals
  plural

1. a semifinal contest or round.

2. (in boxing) the second most important bout on a card.

semifinal British  

/ ˌsɛmɪˈfaɪnəl /

noun

1. 1. the round before the final in a competition

   2. ( as modifier )

      the semifinal draw

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• semifinals
  plural

Etymology

Origin of semifinal

First recorded in 1880–85; semi- + final

Explanation

In sports, a semifinal is the next-to the last game (or series of games) in a big tournament. In a semifinal, four teams or players compete against each other for a spot in the final round. Professional sports like hockey, soccer, and basketball — as well as competitive activities including poker and debate — have a series of elimination rounds before a winner is declared. The very last of those playoff games is the semifinal, a word that was coined in the 1860s from the Latin semi, "half," and final, whose Latin root means "end." The round before the semifinal, in which eight teams play, is called a quarterfinal.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

semifinal semifinals

Yastremska - who in 2024 reached the semifinal stage of the Australian Open - is currently 113th in the women's world singles rankings.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

With a historic All-American semifinal Friday night, a breakthrough may be close.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026

A semifinal loss at Wimbledon to eventual champ Sinner.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

Reaching a semifinal is coming within a hair’s breadth of glory, because after a World Cup final, there’s nothing left,” Barton said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

The semifinal match did not start out well.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

That’s how she crushed Jessica Pegula in straight sets in the semifinals.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026

Frances Tiafoe Friday night in the semifinals of the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

Dos Pueblos finished 24-3 last season and played even with JSerra for almost three quarters before losing 20-0 in the Division 1 semifinals.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

Defending champion Palisades and Taft, which lost to the Dolphins in the Open Division semifinals last fall, are the preseason favorites in the City Section.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

Our beloved football team loses the state semifinals, which concludes my inaugural varsity cheerleading season at Decatur High.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone