[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/shortlist/)

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# shortlist

noun (a shortlist, shortlists); verb (shortlist, shortlists, shortlisted, shortlisting)

«shortlist» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A shortlist is a small list of the best people or things, chosen from a bigger group, from which the final winner will be picked. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shortlist/#m1)
2. To shortlist someone or something is to put them on that list. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shortlist/#m2)

### In the lessons

Used for prizes, jobs and competitions: a book is shortlisted for an award, a person is shortlisted for a job interview. In school, poems or posters may be shortlisted for a competition. It tells the reader that something is close to winning but has not won yet. Phrases: «on the shortlist», «make the shortlist», «be shortlisted for».

### Examples

- Three stories made the shortlist for the writing prize. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shortlist/#x1)
- My poster was shortlisted, but it did not win. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shortlist/#x2)
- The company shortlisted five people for interview. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shortlist/#x3)
- We drew up a shortlist of names for the new puppy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shortlist/#x4)
- The book has been shortlisted for a big award. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shortlist/#x5)
- Out of fifty songs, the judges chose a shortlist of six. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shortlist/#x6)

### Note

Also written «short list» or «short-list». Regular verb: shortlisted, shortlisting. Being shortlisted is good news but not winning; the final choice comes after. Do not confuse it with «a short list» meaning just a list that is not long.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «shortlist» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shortlist/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«shortlist» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/shortlist.html) on Mova free.