noun

lister

LIHST

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Lister (noun) means someone (or something) that makes or keeps a list. Example: “As a compulsive lister, she had notebooks full of to-do lists going back years.”

noun

Someone (or something) that makes or keeps a list.

"As a compulsive lister, she had notebooks full of to-do lists going back years."

"The auction house employed a lister to catalogue every item before the sale."

A birdwatcher who focuses on adding new species to a personal checklist rather than just watching birds for pleasure.

"Serious listers will travel across the country to add one rare bird to their life list."

"He started as a casual birdwatcher but became a dedicated lister within a year."

A type of plough with two mouldboards that digs a deep furrow while planting seed at the bottom of it.

"Farmers on the plains once relied on a lister to plant corn deep enough to survive dry spells."

How to use lister

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA person, tool, or machine that lists things — whether that means writing them down, cataloguing birds, or ploughing furrows.

Common mistake

Don't confuse the birdwatching sense with a general "list-maker" — among birders, "lister" specifically means someone chasing rare sightings for their list.

Common pairings

a keen lister life lister lister plough

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: listers

Test yourself on “lister” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

As a compulsive _____, she had notebooks full of to-do lists going back years.

Etymology

From list (in the sense "to make a list of things") plus the agent suffix -er, meaning "one who does the action."

Synonyms

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lister plow lister plough middlebreaker middle buster

Rhymes for lister

sister mister twister meister blister keister minister sinister register magister cloister banister

See all rhymes for lister →

Frequently asked questions

What does “lister” mean?

The word “lister” means someone (or something) that makes or keeps a list. In plain terms, a person, tool, or machine that lists things — whether that means writing them down, cataloguing birds, or ploughing furrows.

How do you pronounce “lister”?

“Lister” is pronounced LIHST (/ˈlɪstɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “lister” in a sentence?

Here is “lister” used in a sentence: “As a compulsive lister, she had notebooks full of to-do lists going back years.”

What part of speech is “lister”?

“Lister” is a noun.

How many meanings does “lister” have?

“Lister” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone (or something) that makes or keeps a list.