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

Kelly was already on the short list for Vice President in 2024; now Democrats openly discuss his potential in 2028—if not as a presidential contender, perhaps as a future Secretary of Defense. —Nik Popli, Time, 15 Apr. 2026

The annual short list highlights prominent figures across entertainment, sports, politics and more. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Joins the short list of back-to-back champs. —Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026

That film went on to win the Cannes Caméra d’Or prize, open to all first films playing across the Official Selection and parallel sections, and then made it to the short list in the International Feature Film category 98th Academy Awards as Iraq’s submission. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Apr. 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