What does shopping mean?
Shopping is the activity of examining and buying goods in shops, stores, or online marketplaces. As a noun, it usually names the activity as a whole: a person may go shopping for food, clothing, or gifts, and the word can also refer to the social or recreational aspect of visiting shops. As a verb, shopping describes looking at and purchasing products, often with an implication of browsing or comparing alternatives before deciding. The expression “shopping around” is especially common for seeking a better price or a more suitable choice. Modern shopping extends beyond physical stores, since the same basic activity can be conducted through websites and mobile apps. Although the word is now closely associated with consumer purchases, shopping can also be a leisure activity, as when someone visits a town centre mainly to browse shops or meet friends. It is standard and informal-neutral in everyday English, while terms such as “retail therapy” carry the additional, often lightly ironic suggestion that shopping is used to improve one’s mood.
The activity or practice of buying goods in shops, stores, or online marketplaces.
"Holiday shopping is usually busiest in the weeks before Christmas."
Usually an uncountable noun; it normally does not take a plural form.
To visit shops or stores, or search among sellers, in order to look at and possibly buy products.
"They shopped around before choosing a laptop."
Often implies browsing or comparing several products before making a purchase.
Shopping is normally an uncountable mass noun and has no distinct standard plural form.
"She enjoys shopping for antique furniture."
What began as visiting a seller’s place of business became a global activity performed with a tap of a screen.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of shopping
The noun shopping was formed in English by adding the suffix “-ing” to shop, creating a form that names an activity. Shop itself has an uncertain historical origin, with several proposed connections to older Germanic and commercial vocabulary. The modern shopping sense developed as commerce expanded and buying goods in shops became a familiar everyday activity.
Related word forms
How shopping is actually used
As a noun, shopping is normally an uncountable activity rather than an individual item or journey. As a verb, it often suggests browsing or comparing products, and it is frequently used with “around.” British English commonly uses “shopping centre,” while North American English more often uses “shopping mall” or simply “mall.”
Easily confused with shopping
Shopping means buying goods, whereas shipping means transporting goods from one place to another.