shopping list: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to Informal. Common in everyday spoken and written contexts; rarely appears in very formal or legal documents.
Quick answer
What does “shopping list” mean?
A written list of items one intends to purchase, typically at a shop or supermarket.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A written list of items one intends to purchase, typically at a shop or supermarket.
Any inventory of things that are needed, desired, or required for a particular purpose; can be used metaphorically (e.g., a list of demands, policy proposals, or requirements).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both varieties use the term identically. Slight spelling differences if the list itself is written (e.g., BrE 'shopping centre' vs. AmE 'shopping center' on the list).
Connotations
No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “shopping list” in a Sentence
have + a + shopping list + for/ofmake + a + shopping listput + something + on + the shopping listgo + shopping + with + a + shopping listVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shopping list” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I need to shopping-list everything we've run out of.
- She was busy shopping-listing the ingredients for the party.
American English
- I'll shopping-list the items we need from the hardware store.
- He's shopping-listing his holiday gifts.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The shopping-list app on my phone is very handy.
- She has a shopping-list mentality about her career goals.
American English
- He used a shopping-list approach to prioritise the project tasks.
- It was a classic shopping-list speech from the candidate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'The investors presented a shopping list of changes they wanted to see in the company.'
Academic
Rare in core academic texts; may appear in studies of consumer behaviour or domestic organisation.
Everyday
Primary context: 'I need to make a shopping list before we go to the supermarket.'
Technical
Used in software/app names for list-making functionalities (e.g., shopping list app).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shopping list”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shopping list”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shopping list”
- Using 'shopping' as an adjective incorrectly (e.g., 'shopping's list').
- Omitting the article (e.g., 'I need shopping list' instead of 'I need a shopping list').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a two-word compound noun, typically written as two separate words, though hyphenation ('shopping-list') is sometimes seen when used attributively (e.g., a shopping-list app).
Absolutely. While most common for groceries, it can be used for any planned purchases (e.g., a shopping list for new clothes, DIY supplies). It's also widely used metaphorically.
A 'grocery list' is a type of shopping list specifically for food and household goods. 'Shopping list' is the broader term and can include non-grocery items like electronics or clothes.
In American English, it's pronounced /ˈʃɑːpɪŋ ˌlɪst/, with the first vowel in 'shopping' being a long 'ah' sound, similar to the vowel in 'father'.
A written list of items one intends to purchase, typically at a shop or supermarket.
Shopping list is usually neutral to informal. common in everyday spoken and written contexts; rarely appears in very formal or legal documents. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on the shopping list (metaphor: included in a set of desired items)”
- “a shopping list of (a long, often tedious series of items or demands)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the activity (SHOPPING) and the tool you use to remember what to get (LIST). It's a list for shopping.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SHOPPING LIST IS AN INVENTORY OF REQUIREMENTS (extended to non-commercial contexts like negotiations or projects).
Practice
Quiz
In a business negotiation, if someone brings a 'shopping list', what do they most likely have?