short list

noun

: a limited list of important items or individuals

especially : a list of candidates for final consideration (as for a position or a prize)

short-list

ˈshȯrt-ˌlist 

transitive verb

Examples of short list in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite the remaining 40 parks, Keteler already has a short list of favorites. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens had choice words for the Democratic National Committee after his city was cut from the short list of potential hosts for the 2028 convention. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Every position still answers to the same interest rate cycle, the same currency regime and often the same short list of counterparties who keep showing up across all three. — Khalifa Aldhaheri, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

There's a little more at stake for a short list of players — Scheffler, Fitzpatrick, Young, perhaps even McIlroy. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for short list

• assist
• blacklist
• booklist
• checklist
• consist
• desist
• dismissed
• enlist
• exist
• insist
• oocyst
• persist