to-do list: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1neutral/informal
Quick answer
What does “to-do list” mean?
A written or mental inventory of tasks, chores, or errands that one needs to complete.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A written or mental inventory of tasks, chores, or errands that one needs to complete.
A tool for task management and productivity; can also metaphorically refer to a collection of pending issues or obligations in non-literal contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both use the term identically. The spelling 'list' is the same. The verb 'to tick off' (BrE) vs. 'to check off' (AmE) is often used with it.
Connotations
Slightly more informal in British English, but widely accepted in professional contexts in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “to-do list” in a Sentence
have a to-do listput something on the to-do listwork through a to-do listadd to one's to-do listVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for project tasks, daily priorities, and team objectives (e.g., 'Share the team's to-do list for the sprint').
Academic
Rare in formal writing but common among students and researchers for managing workload (e.g., 'My dissertation to-do list is daunting').
Everyday
Extremely common for domestic chores, shopping, and personal errands (e.g., 'I need to buy milk—I'll add it to the to-do list').
Technical
Used in software development and project management tools (e.g., 'The app's main feature is a collaborative to-do list').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “to-do list”
- Spelling as 'todo list' or 'to do list' (without hyphens) is common but non-standard for the noun. Using it for a list of people (e.g., guest list) is incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for the noun 'to-do list', the hyphens are standard. The verb phrase is separate: 'things to do'.
A to-do list is typically for future tasks you need to complete. A checklist is often for ensuring steps in a process are done, possibly by multiple people, and can be used for past verification.
It is acceptable in internal memos, emails, and project management contexts but may be replaced with more formal terms like 'action list', 'task list', or 'agenda of items' in very formal reports or external documents.
Yes, the plural is 'to-do lists' (e.g., 'We compared our to-do lists').
A written or mental inventory of tasks, chores, or errands that one needs to complete.
To-do list: in British English it is pronounced /tə ˈduː ˌlɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /tə ˈdu ˌlɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's on my to-do list.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "Things TO DO go ON a LIST" – it's literally in the name.
Conceptual Metaphor
TASKS ARE OBJECTS THAT CAN BE COLLECTED/LISTED, COMPLETION IS REMOVAL/FROM A CONTAINER (ticking off).
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is a common collocation with 'to-do list'?