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off-licence

Medium
UK/ˈɒf ˌlaɪ.səns/

Informal, Everyday

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Definition

Meaning

A shop licensed to sell alcoholic drinks for consumption away from the premises.

Primarily a British term for a retail store specializing in packaged alcoholic beverages (bottles, cans) to be consumed elsewhere. Can sometimes refer to the license itself.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Refers specifically to the sale of sealed containers, not draught beer or wine by the glass. Implies a retail, takeaway context.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

This term is almost exclusively British. The American equivalent is 'liquor store' or 'package store'.

Connotations

In the UK, it suggests a local convenience-oriented shop, sometimes part of a chain. In the US, the term is unfamiliar and would not be used.

Frequency

Common and standard in the UK; zero frequency in the US.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
run an off-licencelocal off-licencebuy from the off-licence
medium
off-licence ownercorner off-licenceoff-licence hours
weak
near the off-licencesmall off-licenceoff-licence trade

Grammar

Valency Patterns

go to the off-licencestop by the off-licencework at an off-licence

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

liquor store (US)package store (US)off-sales (Scot/NI)

Neutral

bottle shop (Aus/NZ)packaged liquor store

Weak

wine merchantdrinks shop

Vocabulary

Antonyms

on-licencepubbarrestaurant

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “[No specific idiom, but used in phrases like] 'Doing a run to the offie' (slang).”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Refers to a retail business model and licensing category.

Academic

Might appear in sociological or economic studies of retail or licensing law.

Everyday

Common in casual conversation about buying beer, wine, or spirits.

Technical

Used in legal and licensing contexts to specify a type of alcohol sales permit.

Examples

By Part of Speech

adjective

British English

  • off-licence trade
  • off-licence sales

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • I bought some juice from the off-licence.
  • The off-licence is near the bus stop.
B1
  • Could you pop into the off-licence and get a bottle of wine for dinner?
  • He works part-time at the local off-licence.
B2
  • The new licensing laws have impacted small off-licences more than large supermarkets.
  • Many corner shops also hold an off-licence to sell alcohol.
C1
  • The proliferation of supermarket alcohol deals has led to a decline in traditional independent off-licences.
  • Applying for an off-licence requires demonstrating compliance with strict responsible retailing standards.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think 'OFF the premises licence' – you take the drink OFF to drink it elsewhere.

Conceptual Metaphor

CONTAINER FOR AVAILABILITY (The shop is a source/container for takeaway alcohol).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Do not translate literally as 'лицензия' (license). The concept is 'магазин алкогольных напитков' (alcohol shop).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'off-licence' in American English.
  • Confusing it with a 'bar' or 'pub'.
  • Misspelling as 'off-license' (common variant).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
In the UK, if you want to buy a bottle of whisky to drink at home, you would go to a .
Multiple Choice

What is the primary American equivalent of a British 'off-licence'?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, 'off-licence' is the standard hyphenated form in UK English, though 'off licence' (unhyphenated) is also seen.

No, that is the key distinction. An 'off-licence' only sells alcohol for consumption 'off' the premises. A pub has an 'on-licence'.

Not exactly. While supermarkets have off-licences (the legal permission to sell), the term 'off-licence' typically refers to a dedicated shop selling primarily alcohol.

In British slang, it's often called an 'offie' (e.g., 'I'm going to the offie').

off-licence - meaning, definition & pronunciation - English Dictionary | Lingvocore