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Meaning & use

B-listers

noun·Advancedinformaldisapproving

Last updated

UK/ˈbiː lɪstəz/
US/ˈbiː lɪstərz/

“B-listers” is a form of “B-lister”.

Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. nounpluralinformaldisapproving

    Famous people who are fairly well known but not as famous as top stars.

    Grammar: Always plural; the singular is 'B-lister'. Use it for a group: 'The B-listers arrived first.'

    Patterns

    • a group of B-listers
    • B-listers and A-listers

    The award show invited a mix of A-listers and B-listers.

    Some B-listers earn more from social media than from films.

    The party was full of B-listers hoping to be photographed.

  2. nounpluralinformalfigurative

    People or things considered second-rank in importance or popularity in a particular field.

    Grammar: Used more generally for things or people seen as less important than the top group.

    Patterns

    • the B-listers of something

    In the world of tech, these startups are the B-listers compared with the giants.

    The festival features A-list bands and a few B-listers.

Word forms

singularB-lister

Common combinations

A-listers and B-listers
The guest list was a mix of A-listers and B-listers.
a group of B-listers
A group of B-listers posed for the cameras.
B-list celebrity
He is often described as a B-list celebrity.

Synonyms and how they differ

minor celebrity
Neutral and more formal; it does not carry the same slightly negative tone as 'B-lister'.
second-tier star
Similar meaning but less common and more descriptive; 'B-lister' is the usual informal term.

Opposites

A-listers

Word family

B-list noun
The group of B-listers; also used as an adjective: 'a B-list actor'.
A-lister noun
A top celebrity, the opposite of a B-lister.

Commonly confused: B-listers or B-list?

B-listers vs B-list

Refers to the category or group, not an individual person. Use 'B-lister' for one person.

Practice

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