showroom

American  

[shoh-room, -room] / ˈʃoʊˌrum, -ˌrʊm /

noun

1. a room used for the display of goods or merchandise.

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verb (used without object)

1. to come into a store to view merchandise and then purchase it from a competitor, usually online, as to get a lower price or wider selection.

   For shoes, I usually showroom at a couple of stores, then buy them cheaper online.

2. to be used as a place to view rather than buy merchandise.

   No store wants to showroom for a website.

verb (used with object)

1. to display (merchandise) in a showroom.

2. to enter a store and view (merchandise) before purchasing it from a competitor, usually online.

3. to use or encourage people to use (a store) as a place to view rather than buy merchandise.

   The online retailers are showrooming us out of business.

   We’re being showroomed by consumers who browse our stores without buying.

showroom British  

/ ˈʃəʊˌruːm, -ˌrʊm /

noun

1. a room in which goods, such as cars, are on display

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Other Word Forms

• showrooming noun

Etymology

Origin of showroom

First recorded in 1610–20; show + room

Example Sentences

The reality is evident in the nation’s showrooms.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s rough these days in electric-vehicle showrooms, as buyers are staying away now that the $7,500 per vehicle tax credit has ended.

From The Wall Street Journal

Woolley had two requirements: He wanted a building—a skyscraper—that, first, would signal American Radiator’s growing prominence and, second, serve as a showroom for the firm’s products.

From The Wall Street Journal

Musk's political activities have prompted a backlash from some customers, including demonstrations outside showrooms earlier this year.

From BBC

Though far from those glory days, manufacturers and sellers hope higher quality, locally made pieces will lure customers back to showrooms.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• boutique
• chain store
• convenience store
• deli
• department store
• discount store
• drugstore
• emporium
• grocery store
• market
• outlet
• shop
• shopping center
• supermarket