Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

a-list

/ˈeɪˌlɪst/

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: 5.28 in modern English

Syllables: a-list
IPA: /ˈeɪˌlɪst/

5

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The first of a number of lists, especially lists arranged in order of importance or preference.

noun

An informal list of people (especially in the entertainment industry, or professionally or socially prominent) who are the most admired or desirable, or likely to bring success.

adj

Of or relating, or belonging, to an A-list (noun sense 2).

adj

Best of a group; first-class, pre-eminent, top.

Example Sentences

"The film [Pretty Woman] grossed $464 million worldwide, ensconcing her [Julia Roberts] in the Hollywood A-list."
"By the 1980s, there was still huge appeal for what became known as 'shiny-floor' talent shows, especially during weekend primetime. In the US, Star Search ran for 12 years in its original run, from 1983 to 1995, and as searches went, it did genuinely uncover some A-list talent, including Destiny's Child, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Alanis Morrisette and LeAnn Rimes."
"Before his [Rock Hudson's] Aids diagnosis, he had been so many other things: A-list hunk, suave romcom star and all-round Mr America."
"DirectX 10 promises an almost obscene step up in the level of eye candy you can expect from an A-list game, which is the great news. The bad news is, you'll need a new videocard to get those gorgeous graphics."

Etymology

The noun is derived from A (“rank (normally the highest) on a scale that assigns letters”) + list. The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun.

Word Breakdown

Root: *leys-

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈeɪˌlɪst/
British English: /ˈeɪlɪst/

Inflected Forms

A-lists (plural) A list (alternative)

Phrases

A-gay A-lister A team best of the bunch cream of the crop crème de la crème pick of the litter

Frequently Paired Words

A1 A team backlist frontlist midlist best of the bunch cream of the crop crème de la crème

Synonyms

best of the best top-class

Antonyms

Z-list

Rhymes With

playlist

Questions

How do you pronounce a-list?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈeɪˌlɪst/.
What does a-list mean?: The first of a number of lists, especially lists arranged in order of importance or preference.
Where does a-list come from?: The noun is derived from A (“rank (normally the highest) on a scale that assigns letters”) + list. The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun.

How to pronounce a-list

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “a-list”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈeɪˌlɪst/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “a-list”.
Repeat and practice — Say “a-list” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.