# blacklist

/ˈbɫæˌkɫɪst/ (US) · /blˈæklɪst/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/blacklist
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a list of people, groups, or things that are blocked or punished because they are seen as bad or untrustworthy. If you are on this list, you might be banned from a service or a job.

For teachers: a register of entities, such as individuals, organisations, or digital addresses, that are excluded from certain privileges, services, or access due to perceived unreliability or misconduct.

## Examples

- The company put the unreliable supplier on their blacklist.
- After several failed login attempts from that IP address, the security system automatically added it to the server's blacklist.
- During the mid-20th century, many writers and actors were placed on a political blacklist, which effectively barred them from employment within the major film studios for over a decade.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the verbs 'to put on', 'to add to', or 'to be on'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.