Semifinal

semifinal; semi-finalnoun / adjective

Alternative meanings

The round or match before the final in a competition, tournament, or contest; the stage that decides who advances to the final.

Pronunciation

seh-mee-FEE-nal

Root and affixes

Modern loanword used in sports, contests, and competitions. Semi- indicates a previous or intermediate stage before the final.

Variants or conjugations

semifinal; semi-final; semis; semi; semifinal match

Related words and expressions

final; competition; tournament; match; opponent; qualification; championship

Meaning and usage notes

Semifinal is used as a direct loanword. In conversation it may also be shortened to semi or semis, especially when talking about sports.