bricks and mortar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, Business/Finance
Quick answer
What does “bricks and mortar” mean?
Physical buildings and property constructed from traditional building materials.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Physical buildings and property constructed from traditional building materials.
The physical assets of a business, especially retail outlets, as opposed to its online or non-physical components. Also, a traditional, tangible business model.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and meaning are identical. 'Mortar' pronunciation differs (UK: /ˈmɔː.tər/ vs. US: /ˈmɔːr.t̬ɚ/). The term is slightly more prevalent in UK property journalism.
Connotations
Both: Suggests traditionalism, permanence, and substantial capital investment. Can have slightly negative connotations of being outdated versus digital models.
Frequency
Medium frequency in business/finance contexts in both. Low frequency in general everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “bricks and mortar” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a bricks-and-mortar [noun][Subject] operates in bricks and mortar[Subject] has moved from online to bricks and mortarVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bricks and mortar” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The bricks-and-mortar estate agent on the high street is closing.
- They are reducing their bricks-and-mortar footprint.
American English
- The bricks-and-mortar bookstore is struggling.
- Bricks-and-mortar banking is becoming less common.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to differentiate traditional retail from online operations, e.g., 'Their bricks-and-mortar sales declined while online grew.'
Academic
Used in economics, business studies, and urban planning to discuss retail geography and business models.
Everyday
Used when discussing shopping habits, e.g., 'I prefer bricks-and-mortar bookshops to buying online.'
Technical
In property investment, refers to the physical asset class as opposed to shares or bonds.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bricks and mortar”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bricks and mortar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bricks and mortar”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'three bricks and mortars' – incorrect). It's non-count.
- Confusing it with the literal building materials when the context is clearly business.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically hyphenated ('bricks-and-mortar') when used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., a bricks-and-mortar store). It is not hyphenated when used as a noun phrase (e.g., investing in bricks and mortar).
Yes, in a general property context, it can refer to the physical asset of a house or building (e.g., 'Their wealth is tied up in bricks and mortar'). However, in modern usage, it is overwhelmingly associated with retail and business.
This is a hybrid model, combining 'click' (online/e-commerce) with 'bricks and mortar' (physical stores). It describes businesses that operate both online and through physical locations.
Rarely. Its core use is in business, finance, and economics. In everyday speech, it might be used to express a preference for physical shops over online ones.
Physical buildings and property constructed from traditional building materials.
Bricks and mortar is usually informal, business/finance in register.
Bricks and mortar: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbrɪks ən ˈmɔː.tər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbrɪks ən ˈmɔːr.t̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Built of bricks and mortar (emphasising physical substance)”
- “More than just bricks and mortar (implying intangible value)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a traditional shop you can touch: its walls are made of BRICKS, held together with MORTAR. It's solid, physical, and 'real'—unlike a website.
Conceptual Metaphor
PHYSICAL SUBSTANCE IS TRADITIONAL/REAL (vs. digital/ethereal).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what is the primary contrast to 'bricks and mortar'?