Definition

Noun 1. A match or round in a knockout tournament that decides which competitors will proceed to the final: A "semifinal" is one of the two penultimate matches in an elimination competition, where the winners earn the right to compete for the championship in the final round. 2. The stage of a competition immediately preceding the final: The term refers to the specific round in a tournament structure where the number of remaining participants is reduced to the final two.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The two teams will meet in the semifinal this Saturday.
  • She played exceptionally well to reach the semifinal of the tournament.
  • Only four players remain in the competition, and they will compete in the semifinals tomorrow.

Advanced Usage

• "to be in the semifinal(s)": to have qualified for or to be participating in this round of a competition.
  • For the first time in a decade, our national team is in the semifinals.
• "to reach the semifinal(s)": to progress to this stage of a tournament.
  • The unseeded player surprised everyone by reaching the semifinal.
• "semifinal stage/round": a common collocation emphasizing the specific phase of the event.
  • The tension is always highest during the semifinal round.

Variants and Related Words

• Semifinalist (noun): A person or team that competes in a semifinal.
  • All four semifinalists are highly skilled.
• Final (noun): The last match or round of a tournament, which follows the semifinal.
• Quarterfinal (noun): The round of a tournament that precedes the semifinal, typically involving eight competitors/teams.

Synonyms

• Penultimate round: A more formal term for the second-to-last stage.
• Last four: An informal term, especially in sports, referring to the four competitors/teams in the semifinals.
• Semi (informal, abbreviation): A common shortened form used in casual conversation and headlines (e.g., ).

Related Phrases

• Semifinal berth: A spot or place in the semifinal round.
  • The victory secured her a semifinal berth.
• Semifinal clash/encounter: A way to describe the semifinal match itself.
  • Tomorrow's semifinal clash between the top two seeds is highly anticipated.

Noun

1. one of the two competitions in the next to the last round of an elimination tournament