English

bookshop

gb/bˈʊkʃˌɑp/ us/bˈʊkʃˌɑp/
A2 English
Senses
0 senses
Noun A2 entity
1

shop that sells books

a place where you buy books

Usage pattern: a/the bookshop (in/on [place])
Common mistake:
Do not confuse a bookshop (you buy books) with a library (you borrow books). In American English, bookstore is more common.
Synonyms
bookstore (More common in American English.)
Antonyms
library (A place where you borrow books instead of buying them.)
Collocations
local bookshop |independent bookshop |secondhand bookshop |children's bookshop |bookshop chain |bookshop owner |bookshop assistant |browse in a bookshop |go to the bookshop |bookshop window
Themes
shopping |books |daily_life |business
Examples
  • I stopped by the bookshop to pick up a birthday present.
  • There’s a small bookshop on the corner that sells travel guides and maps.
  • We spent an hour browsing in the bookshop before choosing a novel.
Learner examples
  • I went to the bookshop.
  • She bought a book at the bookshop.
Noun B1 entity
2

business that sells books

a business that sells books

Usage pattern: run/own/work in a bookshop
Common mistake:
Learners may use shop when they mean the business (company) rather than the place; both are possible, but context matters.
Synonyms
bookstore (Often used for the business in American English.)
Antonyms
library (Not a retail business; provides books to borrow.)
Collocations
run a bookshop |own a bookshop |work in a bookshop |manage a bookshop |open a bookshop |close a bookshop |a bookshop business |a family-owned bookshop |support your bookshop |bookshop staff
Themes
business |books |work
Examples
  • They run a bookshop that specializes in history and politics.
  • Her family has owned the bookshop for three generations.
  • The bookshop is struggling to compete with online retailers.
Learner examples
  • My aunt owns a bookshop.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bookshop
IPA
GB/bˈʊkʃˌɑp/
US/bˈʊkʃˌɑp/
Syllables & stress
book - shop (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (book)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: bookshop
  • Plural: bookshops
Word family
Forms
bookshops noun
Core family
book noun A1 bookstore noun A2 bookseller noun
Related words
booklet noun B1 bookcase noun A2 bookish adjective B2
Expressions

bookshop chain

1
/bˈʊkʃˌɑp t͡ʃˈeɪn/
fixed phrase

company with many bookshops

a company with many bookshops

Examples
  • A large bookshop chain opened a new store in the mall.
  • Bookshop chains often have similar layouts in every branch.

campus bookshop

1
/kˈæmpəs bˈʊkʃˌɑp/
fixed phrase

university shop selling textbooks

a bookshop at a university

Examples
  • You can buy the required reading at the campus bookshop.
  • The campus bookshop gets very busy at the start of term.

independent bookshop

1
/ˌɪndɪpˈɛndənt bˈʊkʃˌɑp/
fixed phrase

bookshop not in a chain

a small bookshop that is not part of a big company

Examples
  • She prefers buying from an independent bookshop to support local businesses.
  • The independent bookshop hosts author talks and book clubs.

online bookshop

1
/ˈɔnlˌaɪn bˈʊkʃˌɑp/
fixed phrase

website that sells books

a place on the internet where you buy books

Examples
  • I ordered the textbook from an online bookshop.
  • Many online bookshops offer e-books as well as printed copies.

secondhand bookshop

1
/sˈɛkəndhˌænd bˈʊkʃˌɑp/
fixed phrase

shop selling used books

a shop where you can buy used books

Examples
  • We found a rare edition in a secondhand bookshop.
  • He loves spending Saturday mornings in the secondhand bookshop near the station.

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