prefinalist

English

Etymology

From pre- +‎ finalist.

Noun

prefinalist (plural prefinalists)

1. One who reaches the stage that precedes the finals of a contest.
   • 2009 April 30, Rachel Donadio, “Premier’s Roving Eye Enrages Wife, but Not His Public”, in New York Times‎^[1]:

     They included a participant in a top reality television show and Barbara Matera, 28, an announcer on the leading government television channel, a prefinalist in the 2000 Miss Italy contest, and a university graduate.