finalist

A finalist is a person, team, or group that advances to the final round of a competition, contest, or award. Finalists are those who have progressed through earlier stages and are eligible to compete for the prize or title.

Finalists appear across domains such as sports, arts and entertainment, literature, and business. In sports, the last round determines the champion. In arts and entertainment, finalists may reach the final stage of talent shows, film festivals, or prize programs. In business or government, procurement or grant processes may designate a set of finalists who proceed to the final evaluation or bidding stage.

Qualification usually depends on performances, scores, or evaluations from preceding rounds. The exact number of finalists and the format of the final vary by event. In many cases, the final is a single event or match, with the winner selected from among the finalists.

The term is formed from final and the agent noun suffix -ist, and has been used in English to denote competitors reaching the final stage. Being a finalist conveys status and exposure, even if the ultimate winner has not yet been determined. In some contexts, finalists are announced prior to the final, while in others the finalists remain confidential until the final round.