window-shop
WIN-doh shop
/ˈwɪndəʊ ʃɒp/
To look at the goods displayed in shop windows without intending to buy anything.
Often a social or leisure activity.
The story behind the word. A 20th-century Americanism. As glass technology improved, storefronts became larger, making 'looking' a popular pastime.
Word relationships
- browse: Browsing usually happens inside the store; window-shopping happens outside.
Commonly confused with
- shop: Shopping implies the intent to buy; window-shopping is just looking.
Word family
- window-shopper (noun): A person who window-shops.
Collocations
- go window-shopping
- afternoon window-shopping
- just window-shopping
Example sentences
- "Since they were waiting for the movie to start, they spent an hour window-shopping along the main concourse." Describing a casual afternoon.
Memory hook
You are 'Shopping' the 'Windows', not the shelves. Look, but don't touch.
When not to use
Do not use if you actually intend to purchase something immediately.
Fun facts
- The term is sometimes used metaphorically to describe looking at options (like houses or jobs) without making a commitment.
Related words
Explore more words
sightseeing, leisurely, promenade, shoplifting, loiter, pass by
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