Jump To:

• short list
  short list

  noun

  a list of those people or items preferred or most likely to be chosen, as winnowed from a longer list of possibilities.
• short-list
  short-list

  verb (used with object)

  to put on a short list.

short list

¹ American  

Or shortlist

noun

1. a list of those people or items preferred or most likely to be chosen, as winnowed from a longer list of possibilities.

---

short-list ² American  

[shawrt-list] / ˈʃɔrtˌlɪst /

Or shortlist

verb (used with object)

1. to put on a short list.

---

short list British  

noun

1. a list of suitable applicants for a job, post, etc, from which the successful candidate will be selected

---

verb

1. to put (someone) on a short list

Other Word Forms

• shortlistee
  noun
• shortlister
  noun

Etymology

Origin of short list

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

short list short-list

Aside from an unlucky draw, there is a short list of reasons a prisoner ends up here.

From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026

It conspicuously added strategic cyberattacks to the short list of provocations that might prompt a U.S. nuclear response.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

Vinyl Room joins a short list of places where audiophiles can go to listen to music on hi-fi equipment, which many argue is the best way to experience it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2026

Carson admitted that when he was first applying for jobs "there was a short list of options".

From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2026

In 1960, nine locations made the short list, but Virginia was not one of them.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

“I feel like I’m on the short-list for going there, but it’s really a matter of waiting for the IndyCar schedule and seeing if I’m even available,” Johnson said.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 2, 2022

He sought to articulate and protect “freedom in all its dimensions,” which requires going beyond the relatively short-list of liberties the Constitution explicitly mentions.

From Slate ● Jun. 24, 2022

Trump tells reporters that his short-list for the critical post is made up of Robert O’Brien, Ric Waddell, Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty, Fred Fleitz and Keith Kellogg.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 17, 2019

He was on the short-list for Democrat Hillary Clinton’s vice-presidential candidate in 2016, while he was likewise reported to be a contender for Republican John McCain’s vice presidential pick in 2008 as well.

From Salon ● Dec. 30, 2018

Chairman Elizabeth Bryan said Virgin Australia had yet to short-list CEO candidates, meaning an appointment could take some time.

From Reuters ● Sep. 5, 2018

Related Words

• waiting list