mall
mawl
Mall (noun) means a large building or complex of shops under one roof. Example: “The mall was so busy before the holidays that we left early.”
noun
1
A large building or complex of shops under one roof.
"The mall was so busy before the holidays that we left early."
"We spent Saturday afternoon wandering around the mall."
"The new mall has over a hundred stores and a food court."
2
A broad, tree-lined pedestrian walkway or promenade.
"Tall trees shade the mall, and visitors sit on benches to rest."
"Street performers entertain the crowds along the mall on summer weekends."
"They strolled along the mall enjoying the evening air."
How to use mall
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often means a shopping centre; less commonly, a wide walking avenue.
Common pairings
shopping mall
go to the mall
mall parking lot
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Word forms
- Plural
- malls
- Third person singular
- malls
- Past tense
- malled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ was so busy before the holidays that we left early.
Etymology
Probably from The Mall, a famous street in London that began life as an alley for the game of pall-mall.
Related words
Rhymes for mall
See all rhymes for mall →Frequently asked questions
What does “mall” mean?
The word “mall” means a large building or complex of shops under one roof. In plain terms, most often means a shopping centre; less commonly, a wide walking avenue.
How do you pronounce “mall”?
“Mall” is pronounced mawl (/mɔːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “mall” in a sentence?
Here is “mall” used in a sentence: “We spent Saturday afternoon wandering around the mall.”
What part of speech is “mall”?
“Mall” is a noun.
Is “mall” a common word?
“Mall” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “mall” have?
“Mall” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large building or complex of shops under one roof.
What is the difference between a "mall" and a "shopping centre"?
The two terms are largely interchangeable, and "mall" is the more common word in American English. A "mall" usually suggests a large complex of shops enclosed under one roof, while "shopping centre" (the more common British term) can also include open-air arrangements. In practice both describe a collection of shops in one place.
What is the difference between a "mall" and a "market"?
A mall is a large building or complex of shops under one roof, usually permanent stores. A market is typically a gathering of stalls or vendors, often open-air and temporary, selling goods such as food or crafts. Malls house fixed retailers, while markets are made up of movable stalls.
Why is a tree-lined walkway sometimes called a "mall"?
Besides the shopping sense, "mall" also means a broad, tree-lined pedestrian walkway or promenade, as in the famous ceremonial avenues named The Mall. This older sense refers to a public place for walking rather than shopping. Context makes clear which meaning is intended.
What are common collocations with "mall"?
Common pairings include "shopping mall," "strip mall," "mall food court," and "outlet mall." People often talk about "going to the mall" for shopping and leisure.
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