thrift store: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, Neutral
Quick answer
What does “thrift store” mean?
A retail shop that sells second-hand goods, typically clothing and household items, at low prices, often operated by a charitable organization.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A retail shop that sells second-hand goods, typically clothing and household items, at low prices, often operated by a charitable organization.
A store specializing in the sale of used, donated, or vintage items, often with the aim of raising funds for charity or promoting the reuse of goods. It can also refer to a specific aesthetic or culture centered around shopping for unique, inexpensive second-hand items.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'charity shop' is the dominant, more common term. 'Thrift store' is understood but is an Americanism. In American English, 'thrift store' is standard; 'charity shop' is rarely used.
Connotations
In the US, 'thrift store' has neutral-to-positive connotations of smart shopping and sustainability. In the UK, 'charity shop' carries a strong connotation of supporting a cause, while 'thrift store' might sound specifically American or refer to a larger, more commercial vintage/second-hand operation.
Frequency
'Thrift store' is high-frequency in AmE, medium-frequency in BrE (where it is recognized but less common than 'charity shop').
Grammar
How to Use “thrift store” in a Sentence
shop at + [thrift store]find + [object] + at/in + [thrift store]donate + [object] + to + [thrift store]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thrift store” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We decided to thrift-store our way through the city, looking for vintage coats. (less common, derived)
American English
- She loves to go thrift storing on weekends. (informal, verbed noun)
adverb
British English
- She dresses almost entirely thrift-store. (very informal, rare)
American English
- They furnished their apartment mostly thrift-store. (very informal, rare)
adjective
British English
- She has a great thrift-store chic style. (attributive use)
American English
- He bought a thrift-store lamp and refurbished it. (attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in discussions of retail sectors, circular economy, or social enterprise models.
Academic
Rare. Could appear in sociology, environmental studies, or consumer behavior texts discussing sustainable consumption.
Everyday
Very common, especially in AmE. Used in casual conversation about shopping, fashion, and finding bargains.
Technical
Not technical. Used in the charity/NGO sector when discussing retail operations for fundraising.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thrift store”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thrift store”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thrift store”
- Using 'thrift shop' interchangeably is fine, but 'thrift store' is more common in AmE. Confusing it with a 'pawn shop' (which loans money on items). Misspelling as 'trift store'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially, yes. Both sell donated second-hand goods. 'Charity shop' (BrE) explicitly highlights the charitable purpose. 'Thrift store' (AmE) emphasizes low cost and frugality, though many are also run by charities.
In a thrift store, items are donated, and the store keeps all profits (often for charity). In a consignment shop, individuals give items to sell, and they receive a percentage of the sale price if the item sells.
Yes, it's possible to find valuable vintage clothing, designer items, rare books, or collectables, often at very low prices. This is part of the appeal for many shoppers.
Yes. 'Thrifting' is the informal verb meaning 'to shop at thrift stores'. Example: 'We spent the afternoon thrifting.'
A retail shop that sells second-hand goods, typically clothing and household items, at low prices, often operated by a charitable organization.
Thrift store is usually informal, neutral in register.
Thrift store: in British English it is pronounced /ˈθrɪft stɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθrɪft stɔːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “One man's trash is another man's treasure (commonly associated with thrift store finds).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: THRIFT = saving money. A THRIFT STORE is where you practice thrift by buying cheap, second-hand items.
Conceptual Metaphor
A THRIFT STORE IS A TREASURE HUNT (emphasizing the search for valuable finds among many items).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most synonymous with 'thrift store' in British English?