Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

backlist

/bˈæklˌɪst/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.70 in modern English

Syllables: back-list
IPA: /bˈæklˌɪst/

16

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A list of older books available from a publisher, as opposed to the frontlist of more recent titles.

noun

Expected to achieve years of adequate sales while on a backlist, and to be profitable on that basis, even if predicted not to sell in huge numbers when new.

verb

To hold back a student's application (to a college etc.) based on whether a preferred candidate declines their offer.

Transitive verb

verb

To place (a book) on a backlist.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"The celebrity tell-all has been proposed as a frontlist title, whereas the cookbook has been proposed as a backlist title and the food history book as a midlist title."
"I have not heard back from the college yet: I must have been backlisted."

Etymology

From back + list.

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

backlists (plural) backlists (present, singular) backlisting (participle, present) backlisted (participle, past) backlisted (past)

Frequently Paired Words

midlist

Synonyms

back catalog back catalogue

Antonyms

frontlist

Rhymes With

blacklist

Questions

How do you pronounce backlist?: The recorded pronunciation is /bˈæklˌɪst/.
What does backlist mean?: A list of older books available from a publisher, as opposed to the frontlist of more recent titles.
Where does backlist come from?: From back + list.

How to pronounce backlist

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