store-bought

American  

[stawr-bawt, stohr-] / ˈstɔrˈbɔt, ˈstoʊr- /

adjective

Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.

1. commercially made rather than homemade.

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Etymology

Origin of store-bought

First recorded in 1900–05

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Explanation

If you purchase something from a shop, you can describe it as store-bought. If you don't have time to cook for your friend's potluck, you can stop and pick up a store-bought lasagna on the way. This North American adjective was coined in the early 20th century, right around the time the first grocery stores opened in the U.S. In Britain, most people say shop-bought instead. Store-bought is a good word to use for distinguishing food that's sold in stores from homemade: "I made my grandfather's award-winning brownies for the bake sale, but I noticed that everyone else brought store-bought cookies."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

store-bought

The idea of letting children consume goodies prepared by a stranger might seem unthinkable now, but Chason Gordon argues that we’ve lost something by relying solely on store-bought candy.

From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2026

Some growers are embracing contrast marketing—like West Virginia farmer Eli Cook, who tripled his daily sales to $7,000 after running social posts comparing the safety of his produce to store-bought risk.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026

All of these recipes call for store-bought chicken stock but, of course, you can use homemade stock, too.

From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026

Adams said replacing the top two inches of soil with store-bought mulch or straw will help to contain any remaining ash and prevent it from spreading any further.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

There was the blow-up in home economics when Mrs. Anderson called her out for turning in a store-bought dress as her sewing project.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez

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