shop
/ʃɒp/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A shop is a place where you buy things. It is usually smaller and more informal than a store or supermarket.
- I bought milk from the corner shop.
- This shop closes at 8 p.m.
- She works in a clothing shop.
verb
To shop means to go to shops and buy things. It can also mean to look for and compare things before buying.
- We shop on Saturdays.
- I shop online for books.
- She shopped around for a better phone.
Adinary Nuance
Shop is more everyday and smaller in feel than store. In British English, shop is the normal word; in American English, store is more common. For the verb, shop can mean both buying and comparing prices, as in "shop around."
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- cửa hàng
- Spanish
- tienda
- Chinese
- 商店
- Japanese
- 店
- Korean
- 가게
Etymology
Shop comes from Old English sceoppa, meaning a booth or stall. The modern noun and verb meanings developed in Middle English.
Common phrases
corner shopshop aroundshop windowonline shop
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is shop more British or American English?
- Shop is very common in British English. In American English, people often say store instead.
- What is the difference between shop and store?
- Shop usually sounds smaller and more local. Store is wider and more common in American English.
- Can shop be a verb?
- Yes. It means to go out and buy things, or compare prices before buying.
- Is shop a formal word for IELTS writing?
- It is common and natural, but not very formal. Use it when talking about buying, places, or consumer habits.