semifinalist

[ sem-ee-fahyn-l-ist, sem-ahy- ]

noun

, Sports.

1. a participant or one qualified to participate in a semifinal.

Word History and Origins

Origin of semifinalist¹

1920–25; semifinal + -ist, on the model of finalist

Example Sentences

It came from experience: He had been a semifinalist on the “Jeopardy!” college championship, won $20,000 on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” and banked $50,000 on “The $100,000 Pyramid.”

From New York Times

“The kids feel it around them that, you know, they’re being looked up to as previous finalists, previous semifinalists, and they internalize that people expect something from them.”

From Seattle Times

Plus, he is coming off a clay title at the Italian Open and has been a semifinalist at Roland Garros each of the past three years.

From Seattle Times

Two of last year’s seven semifinalists are expected back: Trouble, an American Staffordshire terrier, and Monty, a giant schnauzer, who is currently the nation’s top-ranked dog in The Canine Chronicle magazine’s stats.

From Seattle Times

Texas was next with 11 after making it to the semifinals, with national runner-up Washington and semifinalist Alabama at 10.

From Seattle Times