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verb

shortlisted

SHAWT-lis-tid

Shortlisted (verb) means Placed on the small final group of candidates or entries chosen from a larger field to go forward to the last stage of selection. Example: “Four of the eighty applicants were shortlisted for interview.”

verb
1
Placed on the small final group of candidates or entries chosen from a larger field to go forward to the last stage of selection.
"Four of the eighty applicants were shortlisted for interview."
"Her novel has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize."
adjective
1
Being on such a final list.
"All six shortlisted designs go on public display next week."

How to Use Shortlisted

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishYou made the final few and are still in the running.

When to use it

Standard in recruitment, awards and tenders. More common in British and Commonwealth English than in American English, which often says finalist.

Memory tip

Longlisted comes first and means a wide cut; shortlisted is the narrow cut that follows.

Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
shortlisted for interview shortlisted candidate shortlisted for an award
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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Four of the eighty applicants were _____ for interview.

Etymology

From short list, a list cut down to a manageable length.

Origin: English

nominated selected short-listed

Antonyms

rejected eliminated

Related Words

Rhymes for shortlisted

See all rhymes for shortlisted →

Frequently Asked Questions

Does shortlisted mean you got the job?

No. It means you are one of a small number still being considered, usually the group invited to interview. A decision has not been made.

What is the difference between longlisted and shortlisted?

A longlist is the first cut, often ten to twenty names, made to reduce a large field. The shortlist is the second, much smaller cut from which the winner or appointee is chosen.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from FreeDict original editorial