semifinalist

American  

[sem-ee-fahyn-l-ist, sem-ahy-] / ˌsɛm iˈfaɪn l ɪst, ˌsɛm aɪ- /

noun

Sports.

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

---

Etymology

Origin of semifinalist

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

Example Sentences

“It’s a real honor to be mentioned with those other 25 guys, certainly,” Rivers said of being named a semifinalist.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2025

Rivers, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and Hall of Fame semifinalist, has not played since calling it a career after the 2020 season.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2025

Her latest honor comes from the prestigious James Beard Foundation, which named her a Best Chef: Midwest semifinalist.

From Salon • Feb. 4, 2025

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 • May 30, 2024

The extra sign announced that the town’s Under-14s team was the third runner-up in the interstate Hundred-Yard Sprint, or that the town was the home of the Illinois Girls’ Under-16s Wrestling semifinalist.

From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman