backlist Meaning & Definition
What Does Backlist Mean?
As a noun, backlist means A list of older books available from a publisher, as opposed to the frontlist of more recent titles. It is also used to mean 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. As a verb, it means To hold back a student's application (to a college etc.) based on whether a preferred candidate declines their offer.
Backlist at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Plural | backlists |
| Verb forms | backlists, backlisting, backlisted |
Backlist Definition (Noun)
- A list of older books available from a publisher, as opposed to the frontlist of more recent titles.
- 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.
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.
Backlist as a Verb
- To hold back a student's application (to a college etc.) based on whether a preferred candidate declines their offer.
I have not heard back from the college yet: I must have been backlisted.
- To place (a book) on a backlist.
Synonyms of Backlist
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Backlist synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Backlist
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Backlist in a Sentence
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.
Word Forms & Grammar
backlist (plural backlists)
backlist (third-person singular simple present backlists, present participle backlisting, simple past and past participle backlisted)
Words That Rhyme With Backlist
Origin of Backlist
From back + list.
Common Questions About Backlist
Is backlist a noun or a verb?
Backlist is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is the plural of backlist?
The plural of backlist is backlists.
What is the past tense of backlist?
The past tense of backlist is backlisted. The present participle is backlisting.
More About Backlist On Meaning Stash
More Words Starting With “Back”
- back
- back-and-forth
- back-and-forths
- back-bench
- back-breaking
- back-burners
- back-channel
- back-check
- back-cloth
- back-crawl