Is 'groceries' singular or plural?

It is a plural noun, used with plural verbs (e.g., The groceries are here). The singular 'grocery' refers to one item or a shop.

What's the difference between 'groceries' and 'errands'?

'Groceries' specifically refers to food and household goods. 'Errands' is a broader term for short trips to complete various tasks, which may include buying groceries.

Can I say 'a groceries'?

No. You cannot use the indefinite article 'a' with the plural 'groceries'. You can say 'some groceries', 'the groceries', or 'a bag of groceries'.

Is 'grocery shopping' the same as 'shopping for groceries'?

Yes, they are synonymous phrases meaning the activity of buying groceries.

Is “groceries” formal?

Groceries is usually everyday, informal in register.

How do you pronounce “groceries”?

Groceries: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡrəʊs(ə)rɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡroʊsərɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

groceries: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

High

UK/ˈɡrəʊs(ə)rɪz/US/ˈɡroʊsərɪz/

Everyday, Informal

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “groceries” mean?

Food and other goods for household consumption that are regularly purchased from a supermarket or shop.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

Food and other goods for household consumption that are regularly purchased from a supermarket or shop.

A supply of staple foodstuffs and household necessities (e.g., toiletries, cleaning supplies) purchased in a single transaction or required for daily living.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Usage is largely identical. The term 'groceries' is slightly more frequent in US English for everyday shopping. In UK English, 'the shopping' is a common informal synonym.

Connotations

Neutral in both. Slightly more formal than 'the shopping' in UK contexts.

Frequency

Very high frequency in both varieties.

Grammar

How to Use “groceries” in a Sentence

do (the) groceriesget (the) groceriesgo for groceriesgo grocery shopping

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

buy groceriescarry groceriesunpack groceriesweekly groceriesbag of groceries

medium

order groceriesdeliver groceriespick up groceriesstock up on groceriesrun out of groceries

weak

expensive groceriesfresh groceriesheavy groceriesbasic groceriesfrozen groceries

Examples

Examples of “groceries” in a Sentence

verb

British English

We need to grocery shop tomorrow.
(Not commonly verbed)

American English

I'll grocery shop on the way home.
She's out grocery shopping.

adverb

British English

(No standard adverbial use)

American English

(No standard adverbial use)

adjective

British English

A grocery delivery slot
The grocery list is on the fridge.

American English

A grocery store run
My grocery budget is tight this week.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Retail sector: 'Grocery sales figures', 'online grocery delivery'.

Academic

Rare; may appear in economics (e.g., 'CPI basket of groceries'), sociology of consumption.

Everyday

Primary context: planning, shopping, budgeting for household necessities.

Technical

Used in logistics (grocery supply chain) and retail management.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “groceries”

Strong

provisionsstaple goods

Neutral

shoppingfood shoppingsupplies

Weak

necessitieshousehold goods

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “groceries”

luxuriesnon-essentials

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “groceries”

Using 'grocery' as a mass noun (e.g., 'I bought some grocery' - incorrect). Confusing 'groceries' with 'grocer's' (the shop).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: It is a plural noun, used with plural verbs (e.g., The groceries are here). The singular 'grocery' refers to one item or a shop.
: 'Groceries' specifically refers to food and household goods. 'Errands' is a broader term for short trips to complete various tasks, which may include buying groceries.
: No. You cannot use the indefinite article 'a' with the plural 'groceries'. You can say 'some groceries', 'the groceries', or 'a bag of groceries'.
: Yes, they are synonymous phrases meaning the activity of buying groceries.
: Food and other goods for household consumption that are regularly purchased from a supermarket or shop.
: Groceries is usually everyday, informal in register.
: Groceries: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡrəʊs(ə)rɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡroʊsərɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“[No specific idioms. Common phrases: 'Do a grocery run', 'The grocery bill']”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: GROW + CERES (Roman goddess of agriculture) + ES (plural) = goods grown from the earth that you buy.

Conceptual Metaphor

FUEL FOR THE HOUSEHOLD (groceries power a home like fuel powers an engine).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After work, I need to stop and pick up some for dinner.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the most natural use of 'groceries'?