haberdashery
Americannoun
-
a haberdasher's shop.
-
the goods sold there.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of haberdashery
1425–75; late Middle English haberdashrye < Anglo-French. See haberdasher, -y 3
Explanation
A haberdashery is a men's clothing shop, or a men's department in a larger store. You might visit a haberdashery to buy your dad a tie for Father's Day. Haberdashery is an old-fashioned word for the store you visit when you want to buy a suit or a shirt and tie. In the UK, the meaning is different — a British haberdashery sells sewing notions like buttons, zippers, and thread. The word comes from haberdasher, "seller of small things." These small things sometimes traditionally included men's hats, which led to the American definition of "men's shop."
Vocabulary lists containing haberdashery
The Plot to Kill Hitler
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Sword of Summer
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Tower of Nero
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Ellis followed Mr. Shoemaker past Dapper Dan’s atelier, into the Harlem Haberdashery and cater-corner to Harlem Shake, where Mr. Ellis would return for a post-walk burger.
From New York Times • Oct. 22, 2021
Other sponsors include Heimie’s Haberdashery in St. Paul, the Valley Bookseller in Stillwater, a tour company in Hudson and a retirement community in Shoreview.
From Washington Times • Mar. 31, 2018
We had an early version of the cut where we eliminated the Chapter Two card, so the first chapter ran from the beginning of the movie all the way until they arrive at Minnie's Haberdashery.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2015
It’s drawn by a half-dozen handsome, stamping horses trying to outrun an encroaching snow storm, and it will eventually end up at Minnie’s Haberdashery, a popular stopping-off point for weary travelers.
From Time • Dec. 22, 2015
“Now we will go in,” she said, and annoyed Jane and Michael very much by lingering at the Haberdashery counter and taking great trouble over the choice of a reel of black cotton.
From "Mary Poppins" by P. L. Travers
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.