playlist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1 (Intermediate)Informal, Neutral. Common in everyday and technological contexts. Not typically used in formal academic writing unless discussing media or culture.
Quick answer
What does “playlist” mean?
A list of digital audio or video files (songs, tracks, episodes) arranged to be played in a specific sequence, typically on a media player or streaming service.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A list of digital audio or video files (songs, tracks, episodes) arranged to be played in a specific sequence, typically on a media player or streaming service.
The concept can extend to any curated, sequential list of items intended for consumption or presentation (e.g., a playlist of talks, lectures, or video clips). It often implies personalisation and thematic grouping.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent. The cultural context (specific streaming services) may vary.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. Associated with modern digital culture and music consumption.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties due to the global nature of digital media platforms.
Grammar
How to Use “playlist” in a Sentence
[User] created a [Adjective] playlist for [Occasion].[Song] is on my [Theme] playlist.Let's add this track to the [Name] playlist.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “playlist” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I'll playlist that new tune for the drive.
- The algorithm playlisted the track, boosting its streams.
American English
- I'm going to playlist this song for my running mix.
- The radio station playlisted the single last week.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; no common examples.)
American English
- (Not standard; no common examples.)
adjective
British English
- It was a playlist staple that summer.
- She has great playlist curation skills.
American English
- That song is playlist-friendly.
- He's known for his playlist recommendations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in the music/tech industry (e.g., 'playlist placement is key for artist promotion').
Academic
Used in media studies, sociology, or cultural studies when discussing digital consumption habits.
Everyday
Very common. Refers to personal music/video collections on apps like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube.
Technical
Common in software and app development, referring to a data structure containing media file metadata and playback order.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “playlist”
- Using it as a verb too formally ('I playlist that song' is very colloquial).
- Misspelling as two words ('play list').
- Confusing with 'playbill' (theatre programme).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common for music, it's used for any sequenced media list (videos, podcasts, etc.).
An album is a fixed, artist-created release. A playlist is user-curated, can contain tracks from many artists, and is easily modified.
Informally, yes (e.g., 'I playlisted that song'). It's common in music industry jargon but not in formal writing.
The term existed for radio/TV programming lists, but its current everyday use exploded with iPods and streaming services like Spotify.
A list of digital audio or video files (songs, tracks, episodes) arranged to be played in a specific sequence, typically on a media player or streaming service.
Playlist is usually informal, neutral. common in everyday and technological contexts. not typically used in formal academic writing unless discussing media or culture. in register.
Playlist: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpleɪ.lɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpleɪ.lɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be on someone's playlist (figuratively: to be among their favoured things or people).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of it literally: a LIST of items you want to PLAY.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PLAYLIST IS A CURATED COLLECTION (like a museum exhibit or a menu). A PLAYLIST IS A MOOD/ATMOSPHERE (e.g., a 'chill' playlist creates a relaxed environment).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'playlist' LEAST likely to be used?