supermarket
soo-puh-MAH-kiht
Supermarket (noun) means a large self-service shop selling food and household goods. Example: “I'll grab some milk at the supermarket on the way home.”
noun
1
A large self-service shop selling food and household goods.
"Cans of Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, and Sprite Zero sent to cafes and restaurants are being withdrawn as well as 6x250ml Appletiser multipacks sent to UK supermarkets."
— Lucy Hooker, Coca-Cola recalls drinks in UK due to chemical levels (2025)
"I'll grab some milk at the supermarket on the way home."
"I went to the supermarket to buy some food."
"The supermarket opens early, so we do our weekly shop before work."
"Is there a supermarket near the hotel where we can buy water and snacks?"
2
A place offering a wide range of products or services under one roof, used figuratively.
"The website became a supermarket for online courses."
"The new app is a supermarket of ideas for anyone planning a wedding."
"Critics called the huge conference a supermarket of opinions, with something for every taste."
How to use supermarket
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large grocery store, or figuratively any one-stop shop for a wide range of things.
Common pairings
supermarket chain
supermarket aisle
do the supermarket shop
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Word forms
- Plural
- supermarkets
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I'll grab some milk at the _____ on the way home.
Etymology
An American English coinage from super- + market, dating from 1933.
Class of 1933
supermarket joined the language around 1933.
See the full Class of 1933 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for supermarket
See all rhymes for supermarket →Frequently asked questions
What does “supermarket” mean?
The word “supermarket” means a large self-service shop selling food and household goods. In plain terms, a large grocery store, or figuratively any one-stop shop for a wide range of things.
How do you pronounce “supermarket”?
“Supermarket” is pronounced soo-puh-MAH-kiht (/ˌsupɚˈmɑɹkət/ in IPA).
How do you use “supermarket” in a sentence?
Here is “supermarket” used in a sentence: “I'll grab some milk at the supermarket on the way home.”
What part of speech is “supermarket”?
“Supermarket” is a noun.
Where does the word “supermarket” come from?
The word “supermarket” dates back to around 1933. An American English coinage from super- + market, dating from 1933.
Is “supermarket” a common word?
“Supermarket” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “supermarket” have?
“Supermarket” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large self-service shop selling food and household goods.
What is the difference between a supermarket and a grocery store?
A supermarket is a large, self-service shop selling food and household goods, generally larger and offering a wider range of products than a smaller, traditional grocery store. In everyday speech the terms are often used interchangeably, though "supermarket" implies greater size and scale.
What is the difference between a supermarket and a hypermarket?
A supermarket focuses mainly on food and household goods, while a hypermarket is an even larger store that combines a supermarket with a department store, selling clothing, electronics, and other general merchandise under one roof. Hypermarkets are typically bigger in both size and product range.
What does it mean to call something a "supermarket" figuratively, as in "a supermarket of ideas"?
Used figuratively, "supermarket" describes a place offering a wide range of products or services under one roof, extended to mean any setting with a broad, ready-made selection to choose from. It emphasizes abundance and variety rather than an actual grocery shop.
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