list price: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Business/Commerce, Formal, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “list price” mean?
The official, non-negotiable price of a product or service as set by the manufacturer or retailer before any discounts or negotiations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The official, non-negotiable price of a product or service as set by the manufacturer or retailer before any discounts or negotiations.
A stated, official price that serves as a reference point for discounts, markdowns, or bargaining; a full retail price often used for comparison.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The concept is identical. Spelling follows respective norms (e.g., 'catalogue price' is a possible UK variant, but 'list price' remains standard).
Connotations
Neutral in both, though slightly more formal/commercial. In the UK, it might be more commonly associated with car sales and official catalogues.
Frequency
Equally common and standard in both varieties within business and consumer contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “list price” in a Sentence
The list price of [noun phrase] is [amount].[Noun phrase] has a list price of [amount].to sell [something] at list price.to discount from the list price.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “list price” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new model was list-priced at £35,000.
- Manufacturers rarely recommend list-pricing their goods.
American English
- The software is list-priced at $499.
- They list-priced the sedan aggressively to compete.
adverb
British English
- The car was advertised list-price, with no room for movement.
- They were selling it list-price, which surprised us.
American English
- Very few items sell list-price in this market.
- He insisted on buying it list-price from the official dealer.
adjective
British English
- The list-price figure is seldom the final amount.
- We offer significant discounts off the list-price amount.
American English
- The list-price difference between the two models is small.
- Ignore the list-price quote and start negotiating.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in procurement, sales, and accounting to refer to the official price before corporate discounts or volume deals.
Academic
Used in economics, marketing, and business studies texts discussing pricing strategies, consumer behaviour, and market structures.
Everyday
Used by consumers comparing prices, especially for expensive items like electronics, cars, or furniture.
Technical
Used in legal contracts, price lists, and official tenders as a baseline figure.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “list price”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “list price”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “list price”
- Using 'list price' to mean the final price paid. (e.g., Incorrect: 'I bought it for the list price after haggling.' – Haggling implies deviation from list price.)
- Confusing 'list price' with 'cost price' (the price the retailer pays).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar. MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) is a specific type of list price suggested by the manufacturer. 'List price' is a broader term that can also be set by a retailer.
Sometimes, especially for newly released, high-demand products with fixed pricing policies (e.g., some luxury goods, certain software licenses, or items sold directly by the manufacturer at a fixed rate). However, for many goods, the final price is negotiated or discounted.
The list price is a stated, official price. The market price is the price at which goods are actually bought and sold in the open market, which can be higher or lower than the list price depending on supply and demand.
Yes, though it's less common. This can happen due to scarcity, high demand, or secondary market speculation (e.g., concert tickets, limited edition items). The list price in these cases becomes a minimum, not a maximum.
The official, non-negotiable price of a product or service as set by the manufacturer or retailer before any discounts or negotiations.
List price is usually business/commerce, formal, journalistic in register.
List price: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɪst ˌpraɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɪst ˌpraɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pay list price (to pay the full, undiscounted amount)”
- “At list (selling for the official price)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a printed LIST in a catalogue with a PRICE next to each item. That's the LIST PRICE before any deals.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRICE AS A STARTING POINT (for negotiation/discounting).
Practice
Quiz
In which scenario is someone MOST LIKELY to pay the full list price?