Topics / Shopping Vocabulary
Shopping Vocabulary in English
Shops, prices, receipts, and the words for bargains, refunds, and paying at the till. 85 words, A1 to C1.
85 words
Places and Paying
ShopA1A place where you buy things.“There is a shop on the corner.”ShoppingA1The activity of buying things in shops.“They went shopping in town.”StoreA2A shop, or a place where things are kept.“There is a food store on the corner.”SupermarketA1A large shop that sells food and other things for the home.“We buy rice at the supermarket.”MarketA1A place where people buy and sell food and other things.“She buys fruit at the market.”MallA2A large indoor shopping centre with many shops.“We met at the mall because it was raining.”High StreetB1The main shopping street of a British town (the high street).“High-street banks closed the branch; the post office is not a full substitute.”Department StoreB1A large shop divided into sections that sell many kinds of goods.“The department-store uniform counter is not the school shop; check the handbook list first.”BookshopB1A shop that sells books (UK; US bookstore).“The independent bookshop on the high street still takes cash.”Corner ShopB1A small local shop, often on a street corner, selling everyday goods (UK).“The corner shop is not the free-school-meal till; use the canteen account.”Chip ShopB1A shop that sells fish and chips and similar takeaway food (UK).“The chip shop is not a free-school-meal provider; use the canteen till.”Shopping CentreB1A group of shops in one building or area, often with parking (UK; US mall).“The shopping-centre bus is not the school coach; put the trip on the EVOLVE form.”BuyA1To get something by paying money.“I want to buy a new bag.”SellA1To give something to someone for money.“They sell fruit in the market.”PurchaseB2To buy something, especially in a formal or business context; also something bought (noun).“Log each equipment purchase with a receipt, finance said.”OrderA2To ask for food or goods in a restaurant or shop, or to tell someone to do something.“We ordered rice and chicken.”PayA2To give money for something.“How much did you pay for the book?”SpendA2To use money to buy things, or to use time doing something.“We spent two hours in the museum.”CashB1Money in the form of notes and coins, not a card or cheque.“The shop only accepts cash.”CardA1A piece of stiff paper, for example a birthday card or a bank card.“I sent her a birthday card.”CoinA2A small round piece of metal used as money.“I need a coin for the locker at the swimming pool.”WalletA1A small flat case for paper money and cards, often kept in a pocket.“My wallet is in my jacket.”PoundA1The money used in Britain; also a unit of weight.“This book costs five pounds.”TillB1The cash drawer and screen in a shop where you pay (UK; US cash register).“The queue at the till stretched back to the freezer aisle.”CheckoutA2The place in a shop where you pay for goods.“There was a long queue at the checkout.”CashierB1A person who takes payments in a shop or bank.“The cashier asked for photo ID on the large cash withdrawal.”QueueB1A line of people waiting for something (UK).“There was a long queue at the post office on Monday morning.”BasketA1A container made of thin pieces of wood or plastic, used for carrying things.“Put the apples in the basket.”TrolleyB1A cart on wheels for shopping or for moving patients and equipment (UK; US cart).“Put the supermarket trolley back; a fine is not a rumour.”BagA1A container used to carry things.“Put the books in your bag.”Carrier BagB1A plastic or paper bag from a shop, used to carry shopping (UK).“A carrier-bag charge still applies on the high street; a rucksack is the school rule.”Shopping BagB1A bag for carrying shopping, often reusable cloth or strong plastic.“A shopping bag on the high-street trip is fine; a rucksack still goes under the coach seat.”KioskA2A small open shop that sells snacks, tickets, or newspapers.“Buy your tram ticket at the kiosk.”
Price and Offers
PriceA2The amount of money you must pay.“The price of fruit has gone up.”CostB1The amount of money you need to pay for something.“The cost of living has increased.”CheapA2Costing little money.“These shoes were cheap but comfortable.”ExpensiveA2Costing a lot of money.“That hotel is too expensive for us.”AffordB1To have enough money or time for something.“We cannot afford a new car this year.”BargainB1Something you buy cheaply, or an agreement about a price.“These shoes were a real bargain in the sale.”DiscountA2A reduction in the usual price.“Students get a ten per cent discount.”SaleA2A time when a shop sells things at a lower price, or the act of selling.“The shoes are cheaper in the sale.”OfferA2To say you will give something or do something for someone.“He offered to help with the bags.”VoucherA2A printed ticket or code that you can use instead of money.“I have a voucher for a free coffee.”CouponB2A printed or digital voucher that gives a discount or the right to something.“A coupon in the spend diary still needs the £ value, the survey said.”Half-PriceA2Costing fifty per cent of the usual price.“These tickets are half-price on weekdays.”BulkB2A large quantity, especially when bought or moved together (in bulk).“They buy rice in bulk to save money.”WholesaleC1Of goods, sold in bulk to shops; also complete and affecting everything.“Wholesale deletion of rest days is a rota fact, not “agility”.”RetailC1The sale of goods to the public, not to other businesses; also (verb) to sell that way.“Retail branding on the lanyard is kit; it is not a certificate.”ReceiptA1A piece of paper that shows what you bought and paid.“Keep the receipt in case you take it back.”RefundB1Money given back to you, for example when you return goods or a service fails.“If the train is more than fifteen minutes late, you can claim a refund.”ExchangeB1To give something and receive something else in return.“They exchanged phone numbers after the meeting.”ReturnA2To go back to a place, or to give something back.“Please return the books to the library.”GuaranteeB1To promise that something will happen or is true.“I cannot guarantee a seat.”WarrantyC1A written promise that a product will be repaired or replaced if it fails.“A warranty card in the kit bag is not a fire certificate.”
In the Shop
AisleB2A passage between rows of seats, shelves, or pews.“Map the supermarket aisle in the observation study, not a wedding caption unless the source is a ceremony.”ShelfA1A flat board on a wall or in a cupboard, for putting things on. Plural: shelves.“The books are on the shelf.”SizeA2How big or small something is.“What size shoes do you take?”FitB1To be the right size, or to be healthy and strong.“These shoes do not fit.”Fitting RoomB1A small room in a shop where you try on clothes.“The fitting room in the uniform shop is not the PE changing room; phones stay in bags.”BrandB1The name of a product made by a particular company.“Which brand of coffee do you usually buy?”LabelB1A piece of writing that names or describes something; as a verb, to attach that writing.“Read the allergy label before you serve the canteen stew.”QualityB1How good or bad something is.“The quality of the recording is poor.”FakeB1Not genuine; made to look real in order to deceive.“The website sold fake certificates for language exams.”CounterfeitB2Made to look real in order to deceive; as a noun, a fake of that kind; as a verb, to make one.“A counterfeit note still needs the serial in the police source.”CustomerA2A person who buys goods or a service.“The shop was full of customers.”ComplaintB1A statement that you are not satisfied with something.“The hotel received a complaint about the noise.”DeliveryB1The act of taking goods or letters to a person or place.“The furniture delivery is expected on Friday.”OnlineA2Connected to the internet.“She takes an online course in the evening.”WebsiteA1A place on the internet with pages of information.“Look at the school website.”BrowseB1To look at things in a shop or on a website without a clear plan to buy.“You can browse the catalogue before you register.”DisplayB1To show something so that people can see it.“The museum displays paintings from the 19th century.”AdvertA2A notice, film, or picture that tries to sell something (British).“The advert on the bus showed the new phone shop.”AdvertisementB1A notice or short film that tries to sell something or give information.“The job advertisement asked for two years of experience.”PosterA1A large picture or notice you put on a wall.“There is a film poster on her wall.”LeafletB1A small printed sheet that gives information or advertises something.“The clinic handed out a leaflet on flu vaccinations.”CatalogueB2A complete list of items, often with descriptions.“I ordered the book from the library catalogue.”VendorC1A person or firm that sells something, especially to an organisation.“The badge vendor is a named contractor; a smiling stall is not a contract.”BuyerB1A person who buys something; also a person whose job is to buy goods for a company.“First-time buyers struggled when interest rates rose.”ManagerA2A person who is in charge of a business, shop, or team.“Speak to the manager if you have a problem.”SecurityB1The state of being safe from danger, or people who protect a place.“Airport security checked our bags.”AlarmB1A warning sound or device, or a sudden feeling of fear.“The fire alarm went off at six.”ScanB1To look through something quickly for key facts, or to examine it with a machine.“Scan the source for the command word before you write.”ServiceA2Help or work that a person or company provides for others.“The hotel service was friendly and quick.”OpenA1To move something so it is not shut.“Please open the window.”ClosedA1Not open; not serving customers.“The shop is closed on Sunday.”