Words / B1

OF-lysns/ˈɒf ˌlaɪsns/

An off-licence (id: off-licence) is a shop that sells alcohol to take away (UK). The name comes from a licence to sell alcohol for drinking off the premises. A pub sells drinks to have there; a supermarket also sells alcohol but is not called an off-licence. US liquor store. Keep the hyphen in the spelling.

Meaning

A shop that sells alcohol to take away (UK; US liquor store).

Examples

• “The off-licence on the high street closes at ten.”
• “The off-licence will not sell alcohol to anyone who looks under 25 without ID.”
• “We stopped at the off-licence for a bottle of wine on the way to theirs.”

Good to know

an off-licence (UK, hyphen). US: a liquor store. Contrast: a pub (drink in). Takeaway alcohol.

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