Grocery

Definition

Grocery generally refers to a store or shop where food and other household items are sold.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɡroʊsəri/ or /ˈɡroʊʃəri/
• Respelling: GROH-suh-ree (with "GROH" as in "grow," "suh" as in "sofa," and "ree" as in "see")or
• Respelling: GROH-shuh-ree (with "GROH" as in "grow," "shuh" as in "shoe," and "ree" as in "see")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɡrəʊsəri/
• Respelling: GROH-suh-ree (with "GROH" as in "grow," "suh" as in "sofa," and "ree" as in "see")

In both dialects, "grocery" places the primary stress on the first syllable, "GROH." The pronunciation is slightly different, focusing on the clear articulation of "GROH-suh-ree" in British English, while American English has two common pronunciations, "GROH-suh-ree" and "GROH-shuh-ree."

Etymology

Derived from the word "grocer," which originated from the Middle English term "grosser," a person who dealt in wholesale quantities. This in turn came from the Old French "grossier."

Derivatives

• Grocer (noun)
• Groceries (noun, plural)
• Grocery store (noun)
• Grocer's (noun, as in grocer's shop)
• Grocery shopping (noun)

Synonyms

• Supermarket
• Market
• Food store

Antonyms

None

Usage

The term "grocery" is widely used in everyday language to refer to the food and household items purchased from a store, as well as the store itself where these items are sold. It is also used to describe the business operations of selling food and everyday products.

Related Terms

• Retailer
• Bodega
• Convenience store
• Food mart
• Produce

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Food and Household Items: Products sold in a grocery store, including foodstuffs, cleaning supplies, and other household necessities.
  • Example: She went to the grocery to pick up milk, bread, and vegetables.

• Store or Shop: A retail store that sells food and other household goods.
  • Example: The new grocery on Main Street offers a wide variety of organic products.

• Business of Selling Groceries: The trade or business of selling food and related products.
  • Example: He has been in the grocery business for over twenty years.