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.
shortlist
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a variation of
short list.
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a variation of
short-list.
short listnouna list of those people or items preferred or most likely to be chosen, as winnowed from a longer list of possibilities.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Min Zin and other detainees in China are expected to be on the shortlist of issues President Trump will raise with Chinese leader Xi Jinping this month.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
Real Madrid forwards Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr also make the shortlist, as do Arsenal defenders Gabriel and William Saliba.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
But her role in propelling the Lynx to the league’s best record with a few weeks left of the regular season has also put her on the shortlist for MVP.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
It’s not to add Connor Storrie and Inde Navarrette to that stifling shortlist — it’s how much more talent there is waiting for a shot.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
Ellison’s shortlist reportedly includes Georgia, Texas and Tennessee.
From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2026
