window shopping

Meaning

The activity of looking at goods displayed in shop windows without intending to buy anything. It is a popular leisure activity for travelers exploring new cities.

Examples

• We didn't have much money, so we just went window shopping on Fifth Avenue.

  We didn't have much money, so we just went window shopping on Fifth Avenue.

• I spent the afternoon window shopping in the historic district.

  I spent the afternoon window shopping in the historic district.

• Window shopping is a great way to explore the local culture without spending a dime.

  Window shopping is a great way to explore the local culture without spending a dime.

• She loves window shopping even if she doesn't plan to buy anything.

  She loves window shopping even if she doesn't plan to buy anything.

• Let's go window shopping in the mall while we wait for our movie to start.

  Let's go window shopping in the mall while we wait for our movie to start.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I did some windows shopping yesterday.

  ✓ I did some window shopping yesterday.

  The word 'window' must remain singular in this compound noun phrase.

• ✗ We went to watch windows.

  ✓ We went window shopping.

  'Watching windows' is not an English idiom. Use 'window shopping' to describe looking at shop displays.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I don't have any cash left, but I still enjoy ___.

  💡 Looking at shops without buying.

  Show answer

  window shopping

• They spent hours ___ along the high street.

  💡 Verb form ending in -ing.

  Show answer

  window shopping