noun
quarterfinal
kwor-tuhr-FY-nuhl
Quarterfinal (noun) means In sport, a quarterfinal is one of the four fixtures that make up the last-eight stage of a knockout competition, with each winner progressing to a semifinal. Example: “Our team lost in the quarterfinal after a penalty shoot-out.”
noun
1
In sport, a quarterfinal is one of the four fixtures that make up the last-eight stage of a knockout competition, with each winner progressing to a semifinal.
"Our team lost in the quarterfinal after a penalty shoot-out."
"Both quarterfinals were decided in extra time."
"She has never made it past the quarterfinal stage at a major tournament."
2
More generally, a quarterfinal is any round of a competition that narrows the remaining contestants down to the semifinalists.
"The spelling bee's quarterfinal cut the field down to eight competitors."
"Only the top scorers from the quarterfinal advance."
"Judges scored each act in the quarterfinal before choosing the finalists."
How to use quarterfinal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA quarterfinal is the round before the semifinals in a knockout competition.
When to use it
It is standard in sports reporting and in any competition organised as a knockout.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
reach the quarterfinal
lose in the quarterfinal
quarterfinal match
quarterfinal stage
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Our team lost in the _____ after a penalty shoot-out.
Etymology
Quarterfinal is formed by joining quarter and final, reflecting its role as one of the rounds leading up to the final.
Synonyms
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last eight
quarter
Related words
Rhymes for quarterfinal
See all rhymes for quarterfinal →Frequently asked questions
What does quarterfinal mean?
A quarterfinal is one of the matches or rounds in a knockout competition that narrows the field down to the semifinalists.
How many quarterfinals are there in a typical tournament?
There are usually four quarterfinal matches, and their winners advance to the two semifinals.
Is quarterfinal one word or two?
It is commonly written as one word, quarterfinal, though quarter final and quarter-final also appear.
What is the meaning of quarterfinal?
"quarterfinal" (noun) means in sport, a quarterfinal is one of the four fixtures that make up the last-eight stage of a knockout competition, with each winner progressing to a semifinal.
