# finalist

/ˈfaɪnəɫɪst/ (US) · /fˈaɪnəlˌɪst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/finalist
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. competition participant

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- The young pianist was thrilled to be named a finalist in the international competition.
- After three grueling rounds of elimination, the judges announced the four finalists who would compete for the grand prize on live television.

### 2. university student

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

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

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

- As a finalist, she spent most of her time in the library studying for her degree.
- The career office organized a special networking event specifically for finalists looking to secure graduate positions before the summer break.

### 3. philosophy

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Formal

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

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

- The professor explained how a finalist views the evolution of the human brain.
- In his lecture on the philosophy of biology, he contrasted the views of a strict finalist with those of a proponent of random mutation.

## Examples

- The young pianist is a finalist in the national competition.
- After months of auditions, the judges finally announced the three finalists who will perform in the live show.
- Each finalist must present their research to a panel of experts before the winner of the prestigious scholarship is selected at the closing ceremony.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.