semifinal

UK: /ˌsɛmɪˈfaɪn^əl/

US: /ˌsɛmiˈfaɪnəl, ˌsɛmaɪ-/

US: (sem′ē fīn′l, sem′ī-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

sem•i•fi•nal /ˌsɛmiˈfaɪnəl, ˌsɛmaɪ-/  adj. 

1. being the next to last round in a tournament.

n. [countable]

2. a semifinal round.

sem•i•fi•nal•ist, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

sem•i•fi•nal  (sem′ē fīn′l, sem′ī-), [Sports.]
adj. 

1. of or pertaining to the round preceding the final one in a tournament from which losers are eliminated.
2. (in boxing) of or pertaining to the second most important bout on a card, usually immediately preceding the main bout.

n. 

3. a semifinal contest or round.
4. (in boxing) the second most important bout on a card.

• semi- + final 1880–85

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

semifinal / ˌsɛmɪˈfaɪn^əl/ noun

1. the round before the final in a competition
2. (as modifier): the semifinal draw