window-shop

American  

[win-doh-shop] / ˈwɪn doʊˌʃɒp /

verb (used without object)

window-shopped, window-shopping

1. to look at articles in the windows of stores without making any purchases.

2. to examine or evaluate merchandise for possible purchase, use, etc..

   Russian delegations are window-shopping in European factories.

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verb (used with object)

window-shopped, window-shopping

1. to look at (merchandise) in the windows of stores without making any purchases.

   to window-shop shoes.

window-shop British  

verb

1. (intr) to look at goods in shop windows without buying them

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Other Word Forms

• window-shopper noun
• window-shopping noun

Etymology

Origin of window-shop

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

There are many great deals to be had today, especially if you enjoy a variety of options to browse and online window-shop.

From The Verge • Oct. 14, 2021

There are always interesting street fairs going on, and I like to pop into stores and just browse or window-shop.

From New York Times • Dec. 7, 2018

Customers can window-shop now ahead of the open enrollment, which begins Tuesday and ends Jan. 31.

From Washington Times • Oct. 30, 2016

"It's a result of more and more technology in the hands of the consumer, which allows them to virtually window-shop," he said.

From Reuters • Jan. 8, 2014

She took long bus rides to faraway department stores and supermarkets where she’d window-shop for hours and spend fifty cents.

From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride