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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

A-list en · ADJ

Pronunciation

  • /ˈeɪlɪst/ (Received-Pronunciation)
  • (Southern-England) audio
  • /ˈeɪˌlɪst/ (General-American)

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.

Meanings

  1. (not-comparable) Of or relating, or belonging, to an A-list (noun sense 2).
    • 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. 2023 October 6, Ryan Gilbey, “The double life of Rock Hudson: ‘Let’s be frank, he was a horndog!’”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 18 Jan 2025:
    • 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. 2021 September 15, Laura Martin, “How Talent Shows Became TV’s Most Bizarre Programmes”, in BBC Online, archived from the original on 18 Apr 2023:
  2. (broadly, not-comparable) Best of a group; first-class, pre-eminent, top.
    • 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. 2007 winter, Steve Klett, “Release Notes: The Winds of Change”, in Steve Klett, editor, Maximum PC, San Francisco, Calif.: Future US, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 3, column 1:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
A list alternative lexicographic

Antonyms

Z-list

Coordinates

B-list · C-list · D-list

Synonyms

best of the best · top-class

Translations (1)

fi huippu- (of or relating, or belonging, to an A-list)

A-list en · NOUN

Pronunciation

  • /ˈeɪlɪst/ (Received-Pronunciation)
  • (Southern-England) audio
  • /ˈeɪˌlɪst/ (General-American)

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.

Meanings

  1. The first of a number of lists, especially lists arranged in order of importance or preference.
  2. 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.
    • The film [Pretty Woman] grossed $464 million worldwide, ensconcing her [Julia Roberts] in the Hollywood A-list. 2014 January 21, Hermione Hoby, “Julia Roberts interview for August: Osage County – ‘I might actually go to hell for this…’”, in The Daily Telegraph (Review section), London: Telegraph Media Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 07 Oct 2024:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
A-lists Number=Plur lexicographic
A list alternative lexicographic

Antonyms

Z-list

Coordinates

D-list · C-list · B-list

Deriveds

A-lister · A-gay

Relateds

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

Translations (3)

fi ensimmäinen lista (first of a number of lists) · fi huippujulkkikset (informal list of people who are the most admired or desirable, or likely to bring success) · fi A-lista (first of a number of lists)