English Reference
noun

bookstore

n.
US /ˈbʊkˌstɔɹ/ UK /bˈʊkstɔː/ book·store UK spelling bookstore's, bookstore's

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    a shop where you can buy new or used books.

    a retail outlet primarily dedicated to the sale of books.

    Simple

    I spent the whole afternoon browsing the shelves at the local bookstore.

    In context

    The independent bookstore survived the rise of digital media by hosting weekly readings and maintaining a curated selection of rare editions.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Dialect

    a shop that sells paper, pens, and other office supplies.

    a retail establishment specialising in stationery, writing instruments, and school supplies.

    Simple

    I need to stop by the bookstore to buy some notebooks and pens for class.

    In context

    In the Philippines, a bookstore often functions as a primary source for school supplies rather than just a place to purchase literature.

    Usage

    Commonly used in Philippine English to refer to shops like National Book Store.

    stationery store

From book + store.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Frequent
Updated