ENGLISH
REFERENCE

groceries

n.
US //ˈɡɹoʊsɝiz// UK //ɡɹˈəʊsəɹiz// gro·ceries
  1. 1 food and household items (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the food and small household items you buy from a shop or supermarket.

    the commodities, especially food and cleaning supplies, sold by a grocer or in a supermarket. Plural-only in this sense.

    Example

    We need to go to the supermarket because we have no groceries left for dinner.

    Example

    After a long week of travel, the couple spent Saturday morning restocking their pantry with fresh groceries and household essentials.
    Pitfall
    I need to buy a grocery.
    I need to buy some groceries.

    When referring to the items you buy, use the plural 'groceries'. The singular 'grocery' usually refers to the shop itself.

  2. 2 shops (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    more than one small shop that sells food.

    the plural form of 'grocery', referring to multiple retail establishments that sell food and household goods.

    Example

    There are several small groceries in this neighbourhood that sell local fruit.

    Example

    The rise of massive supermarkets led to the closure of many independent family-owned groceries in the city centre.

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