English Meaning & Definitions
The activity of looking at goods displayed in shop windows, usually without the intention of buying them.
- “We spent the afternoon window shopping along the high street, just enjoying the displays.”
- “She didn't have enough money for a new dress, so she went window shopping to get some fashion inspiration.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “window shopping”.
The term emerged in the early 20th century, coinciding with the rise of large glass display windows in department stores. As urban retail environments evolved to use plate glass to showcase goods to pedestrians, the act of 'shopping' shifted from a purely transactional necessity to a leisure activity of visual consumption without the immediate intent to purchase.
Imagine you are a 'window' pane separating you from the 'shopping' you want to do, but you can only look through the glass.
Frequently Asked Questions About “window shopping”
1. What is the meaning of “window shopping” in English?
In English, window shopping (noun) is defined as: “The activity of looking at goods displayed in shop windows, usually without the intention of buying them.”.
2. How do you use “window shopping” in a sentence?
“We spent the afternoon window shopping along the high street, just enjoying the displays.”
3. What are English synonyms of “window shopping”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “window shopping”?
The term emerged in the early 20th century, coinciding with the rise of large glass display windows in department stores. As urban retail environments evolved to use plate glass to showcase goods to pedestrians, the act of 'shopping' shifted from a purely transactional necessity to a leisure activity of visual consumption without the immediate intent to purchase.
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