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 transitive verb

Examples of short list in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The 22-year-old — on the short list of Heisman favorites — was at one point a largely-unheard-of three-star recruit out of Florence, S.C., who entered his senior season of high school football without an offer from the in-state Gamecocks. Grace Raynor, New York Times, 25 July 2025 On summer’s most scorching days, there’s one style staple that should make your warm-weather wardrobe’s short list. Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 7 June 2025 Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who has an MLB-best 31 doubles, swiped his 25th base on Wednesday night and joined O’Brien on that short list. Pete Grathoff july 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2025 There is temptation to place every debut, along with every conductor invited back to the Bowl, as a potential candidate for the long list, short list or whatever list to be the L.A. Phil’s next music director after Dudamel departs for New York next year. Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for short list

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of short list was in 1927

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Cite this Entry

“Short list.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/short%20list. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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