How to pronounce semifinal
Say it like sem-ee-FY-nul. Semifinal has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce semifinal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- sem
- ee
- FY
- nul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Semifinal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- semGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- FYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- nulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of semifinal
American and British speakers say semifinal in essentially the same way: /ˌsɛmiˈfaɪnəl/ in the US and /ˌsɛmiˈfaɪnəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: sem-ee-FY-nul.
What does semifinal mean?
- A playoff in the round with only four players or teams left, the stage before the final.
- A competition that narrows a field of contestants (semifinalists) to a set of finalists, for a subsequent final.
Where does semifinal come from?
From Latin semifinalis, equivalent to semi- + final.
Words that rhyme with semifinal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of semifinal.
Questions about saying semifinal
How do you pronounce semifinal?
Say sem-ee-FY-nul. The American pronunciation is /ˌsɛmiˈfaɪnəl/. In British English it is /ˌsɛmiˈfaɪnəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in semifinal?
Semifinal has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FY). Broken into parts: sem · ee · FY · nul.
Do Americans and Brits say semifinal the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌsɛmiˈfaɪnəl/ and the British form is /ˌsɛmiˈfaɪnəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.