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• 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.

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short-list ² American  

[shawrt-list] / ˈʃɔrtˌlɪst /

verb (used with object)

1. to put on a short list.

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short list British  

noun

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

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verb

1. to put (someone) on a short list

Etymology

Origin of short list

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

A short list of tools, reached for over and over again, until they start to feel less like equipment and more like extensions of your hands.

From Salon • Apr. 21, 2026

Schmid’s reference to inflation-fighting policy actions adds him to a short list of Fed officials who have hinted that an interest-rate increase could be called for if inflation remains stubborn or rises.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

On the men's side, former West Ham star Dimitri Payet and Newcastle winger Laurent Robert are two that fans may remember - but those that make it all the way form a short list.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

Scientists have now added another to that short list by observing neutrinos convert carbon atoms into nitrogen inside a massive underground detector.

From Science Daily • Dec. 12, 2025

Here is a short list of the most common transposing instruments.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Related Words

• waiting list