noun / verb (gerund) · informal

window shopping

UK/ˈwɪn.dəʊ ˌʃɒp.ɪŋ/US/ˈwɪn.doʊ ˌʃɑː.pɪŋ/WIN·dow·SHOP·ping

Band 4-5speakingtask2

looking at goods in shop windows without intending to buy; browsing

Examples

On weekends we often go window shopping in the city.

I was just window shopping when I saw a dress I liked.

Window shopping is a good way to get ideas before making a purchase.

Band 8 sentence

I was merely window shopping, but the colourful display tempted me to try several outfits on.

Collocations

  • go window shopping
  • do some window shopping

Word family

window-shop verbshop verb/noun

Common mistakes

window shoppingingwindow shopping

go to window shoppinggo window shopping

Say it for a higher band

5go shopping6go to window shopping7+window shopping

Synonyms

browse shops

Easily confused

go shopping

We usually go shopping on Saturdays to buy groceries.

browse

I like to browse online stores in my free time.

Related words

Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.

In Shopping & Money

Learn it with its set