# semifinal

/ˌsɛmaɪˈfaɪnəɫ/ (US) · /sˌɛmɪfˈaɪnəl/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/semifinal
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

the game or match that comes just before the final. The winners of these two matches go on to play for the championship.

For teachers: the penultimate round of a competition, consisting of two matches or heats. The victors of these contests advance to the final round to determine the overall winner.

## Examples

- Our team won the semifinal and is going to the final.
- After a grueling semifinal that went into overtime, the underdog team finally secured their place in the championship match.
- The tournament structure ensures that the top seeds avoid each other until the semifinal, maximizing the likelihood of a high-stakes showdown in the closing stages of the competition.

## Usage notes

- Often used in the plural ('the semifinals') to refer to the round as a whole.

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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.