listing
B1Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
A list or catalogue, especially one published or official.
The act of compiling a list; the inclusion of an item on a list; an entry in a list (especially of items for sale, jobs, or properties); the process of making a company's shares available for trading on a stock exchange.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a countable noun. In finance, the 'listing' refers to the company and its status, not just the act. In computing, can refer to a directory listing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. 'Listing' for property sales is slightly more common in UK English ('property listing'), whereas in the US, 'real estate listing' is standard. The financial sense is identical.
Connotations
Neutral. In everyday contexts, implies organization or availability. In financial contexts, implies prestige and regulatory compliance.
Frequency
High frequency in business, real estate, and finance contexts; medium frequency in general use.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
a listing of [items]a listing for [a purpose/audience]a listing on [a platform/Exchange]to get/have/obtain a listingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(to be) on the listing”
- “a listing as long as your arm”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a company being on a stock exchange. 'The firm sought a London listing to attract more investors.'
Academic
Used for bibliographies or enumerated data. 'The appendix provides a full listing of the survey participants.'
Everyday
Common for online advertisements for jobs, homes, or items for sale. 'I saw a great listing for a flat near the park.'
Technical
In computing, the output of the 'ls' or 'dir' command is a directory listing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The agent is listing the property this week.
- They are considering listing the shares on the AIM market.
American English
- The website is listing new jobs daily.
- The company listed its stock on the NYSE.
adjective
British English
- The listing page needs updating.
- Please refer to the listing agreement.
American English
- Check the listing price before you bid.
- The listing agent will show the house.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Here is a listing of all the students.
- I found the book in the library listing.
- The online listing for the car included several photos.
- Is there a job listing for a receptionist?
- The company's stock market listing increased its visibility.
- The magazine publishes a monthly listing of local events.
- Securing a listing on a major exchange requires meeting stringent regulatory criteria.
- The exhaustive listing of archaeological finds filled three volumes.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LIST that is actively ING (happening) - a 'listing' is a list being made or presented.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATION IS A LIST (A structured, sequential record of items).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'листинг' как жаргонным заимствованием в IT (вывод содержимого каталога). В английском 'listing' шире: любой список или внесение в список.
- Отличать от 'list' (сам список) - 'listing' часто подразумевает процесс публикации или официальный документ.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'listing' as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'I need some listing' – better: 'I need a listing' or 'I need some list').
- Confusing 'listing' (noun) with 'to list' (verb). 'The listing of the company' vs. 'to list the company'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'listing' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While common in those formal contexts, it can be used for any organised list, like a 'listing of upcoming films' or a 'classroom seating listing'.
A 'list' is the general concept of a sequenced record. A 'listing' often implies a published, official, or specific instance of a list, especially one that is current and used for reference or transaction (e.g., a job listing, a stock listing).
The form 'listing' can be the present participle or gerund of the verb 'to list' (e.g., 'She is listing the items for sale'). However, the dictionary entry for 'listing' is primarily a noun.
It is the opposite of listing. It refers to the removal of a company's shares from a stock exchange, or an item from a published list.