English Reference
noun

finalist

n.
US /ˈfaɪnəɫɪst/ UK /fˈaɪnəlˌɪst/ fi·nal·ist UK spelling finalists

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate Sport

    a person or team that has reached the final part of a competition or contest.

    a competitor who has successfully navigated preliminary rounds to participate in the final stage of a tournament or contest.

    Simple

    The young pianist was thrilled to be named a finalist in the international competition.

    In context

    After three grueling rounds of elimination, the judges announced the four finalists who would compete for the grand prize on live television.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    a student who is in their last year of university and taking their final exams.

    a university student in their final year of study, typically preparing for or sitting their final degree examinations.

    Simple

    As a finalist, she spent most of her time in the library studying for her degree.

    In context

    The career office organized a special networking event specifically for finalists looking to secure graduate positions before the summer break.

  3. 03 C2 Proficiency AcademicFormal

    someone who believes that everything in nature is moving toward a specific final goal or purpose.

    an adherent of finalism or teleology, believing that natural processes are directed toward a specific end or purpose.

    Simple

    The professor explained how a finalist views the evolution of the human brain.

    In context

    In his lecture on the philosophy of biology, he contrasted the views of a strict finalist with those of a proponent of random mutation.

    teleologist

From final + -ist.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated