Shop

/ʃɒp/

nounBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

4 meanings
1

A place where goods are sold or services are offered.

/ʃɒp/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A place where goods or services are sold

She visited the shop to buy a new dress.

💡 Simply: A shop is like a store. It's a place where you can go to buy things, like toys, clothes, or food!

👶 For kids: A shop is like a special house where grown-ups buy things they need, like food or toys!

More Examples

2

The hardware shop sells tools and supplies.

3

He works at a small antique shop.

How It's Used

Commerce

"I went to the grocery shop to buy some milk."

Retail

"The book shop is located on the corner of the street."

2

A place where manual work or craftsmanship is done.

/ʃɒp/

nounneutralmedium
General

A workshop; a place where things are made or repaired.

He took his car to the mechanic's shop.

💡 Simply: A shop is like a special room or building where people fix things or make things with their hands, like fixing cars or building furniture.

👶 For kids: A shop is a special place where people fix things or make things. Like a place where they fix cars or make toys.

More Examples

2

The pottery shop created beautiful handmade vases.

3

The metal shop was full of machines.

How It's Used

Manufacturing

"The auto shop repaired the broken engine."

Craft

"The carpentry shop is where they make furniture."

Tip:Think of a place where people 'work' with their 'hands' to create or fix things.
3

To browse and buy goods in a shop.

/ʃɒp/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To visit a shop or shops to buy goods.

I like to shop for new shoes.

💡 Simply: To shop means to go to stores and look around to see if there's anything you want to buy. It's like an adventure!

👶 For kids: To shop is when you go to a store and look at things to buy them.

More Examples

2

They are shopping for a birthday gift.

3

He shopped at the market for fresh produce.

How It's Used

Consumerism

"She likes to shop for clothes every weekend."

Leisure

"We're going to shop for groceries after work."

Tip:Think of the action of going around to look at products with the intention of buying.
4

To search for something in stores or online.

/ʃɒp/

verbneutralmedium
Technology

To seek something by browsing, often online.

She often shops online for furniture.

💡 Simply: To shop can also mean to look for something you want, whether it's in a store or on the internet. You compare different places to find the best price or deal.

👶 For kids: Sometimes shop means looking for something you want online or at different stores to see which one is the best!

More Examples

2

He likes to shop around for the best car insurance.

3

I’ll shop for tickets to the concert.

How It's Used

Internet

"I always shop online for the best deals."

Retail

"Shop around for the best price before you buy."

Tip:Think of searching broadly to find the best choice.

Idioms & expressions

shop around

To compare prices or terms from different sources before making a purchase or decision.

"It's a good idea to shop around before buying a car."

From Old English *sceoppa*, meaning 'booth' or 'shed', and related to Middle Dutch *scoppe*. Originally referring to a small structure, it evolved to represent a place where goods are sold or services are provided.

The term's evolution reflects changes in commerce, from simple artisan workshops to large retail establishments.

Memory tip

Imagine a building with a sign that advertises goods: a shop!

shoppshope

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written