bookshop
bookshop
Pronunciation
bookshop
/ˈbʊkˌʃɒp/
book /bʊk/
/b/ - voiced bilabial stop
/ʊ/ - near-close near-back rounded vowel
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
shop /ʃɒp/
/ʃ/ - voiceless postalveolar fricative
/ɒ/ - open-mid back rounded vowel
/p/ - voiceless bilabial stop
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: bookshop
Plural Noun: bookshops
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
bookshop
A retail establishment where books are sold to the public. These shops often offer a wide variety of genres, from fiction and non-fiction to educational texts and children's literature, and may also sell other related items such as stationery, magazines, and greeting cards.
Synonyms: bookstore, bookseller's, bibliopole (archaic/formal)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a type of place. One might consider a "library" as a place where books are borrowed rather than sold, but it's not a true antonym.)
A department or section within a larger store or institution specifically dedicated to the sale of books. This can be found in places like university campuses, museums, or department stores, offering a curated selection of books relevant to the primary business.
Synonyms: book section, book department
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific usage.)
Examples of Use
Books:
"She found solace Browse the shelves of a dusty old bookshop, the scent of aging paper a comforting balm." (From a contemporary fiction novel)
"In The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George, a literary apothecary dispenses books to heal emotional ailments."
Newspapers:
"Independent bookshops across the country reported a surge in sales during the holiday season, bucking the trend of online retail dominance." (The Guardian)
"A new bookshop dedicated to local authors and history is set to open its doors in downtown Nairobi next month." (Daily Nation)
Online Publications:
"How to support your local bookshop even if you mostly read ebooks." (Book Riot)
"The best travel bookshops around the world for literary adventurers." (Lonely Planet)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: A pivotal scene in the romantic comedy Notting Hill takes place in a charming travel bookshop.
Television Series: "The character frequently meets her friends at a quirky independent bookshop that doubles as a coffee shop." (Description of a scene in a popular streaming series)
Music: "The lyrics describe a chance encounter in a late-night bookshop, leading to a whirlwind romance." (From a popular indie song)
Video Games: "Players can visit a virtual bookshop in the game's hub world to purchase lore books and skill-boosting tomes." (From a fantasy role-playing game)
General Public Discourse:
"I spent Saturday afternoon just wandering around that new bookshop – it's huge!" (Casual conversation between friends)
"My dream retirement involves owning a small bookshop by the sea." (Statement made in an online forum discussing life goals)
"Let's meet at the bookshop at 3 PM, then we can grab coffee." (A common suggestion for a meeting point)
10 Quotes Using Bookshop
"A good bookshop is just a gentle way of letting you know you are not alone." (Jen Campbell, The Bookshop Book)
"The bookshop itself was a haven, a place of quiet contemplation and endless possibilities." (Attributed to various authors, reflecting a common sentiment about bookshops)
"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of bookshop." (Jorge Luis Borges)
"Going to a bookshop is a bit like going to a party. You don't know who you're going to meet." (Jo Walton)
"There is no place like a bookshop when it comes to getting lost and found at the same time." (Unattributed, often found in online discussions about bookshops)
"A bookshop is a place where you can find yourself, even when you're not looking." (Similar to other quotes, reflecting a common sentiment)
"To me, a bookshop is like a candy store for the mind." (Attributed to various book lovers)
"My ideal day involves getting lost in a bookshop for hours." (Common sentiment among readers, often expressed informally)
"The best kind of magic can be found in a bookshop." (Unattributed, but a popular sentiment in online book communities)
"A truly great bookshop is a place where time slows down, and the world outside fades away." (Reflects a common feeling among patrons of independent bookshops)
Etymology
The word "bookshop" is quite straightforward in its origin! It's a combination of two older English words: "book" and "shop."
"Book": This word has ancient roots. It comes from the Old English word "boc," which referred to a written document or a scroll. It's even thought to be related to the word "beech," because early writings were sometimes inscribed on beechwood tablets. Over time, its meaning narrowed to refer to the bound pages we recognize as a book today.
"Shop": This word also has a long history, coming from the Old English "scoppa," meaning a booth or a shed used for trade or work. It gradually evolved to mean a place where goods are sold.
So, "bookshop" simply means a "shop for books."
The earliest known use of the word "bookshop" in written English dates back to 1762. At that time, its meaning was exactly what we understand it to be today: a place of business where books are sold to the public.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Bookshop
To get lost in a bookshop: To spend a long time Browse and exploring books in a bookshop, often losing track of time.
A bookshop crawl: An activity where one visits several bookshops in a single outing, often in a specific area.
Bookshop therapy: The act of visiting a bookshop as a way to relax, de-stress, or find comfort.
The bookshop hum: The quiet, ambient noise of people Browse, pages turning, and hushed conversations often found in a busy bookshop.
To smell like an old bookshop: To have a pleasant, musty scent reminiscent of aged paper and bindings.
Idioms with Synonyms/Related Concepts (for similar effect):
To bury oneself in a book: (While not directly about a bookshop, this idiom reflects the deep engagement with books that a bookshop facilitates.) To become completely absorbed in reading.
To live in books: To spend a great deal of time reading, suggesting a deep connection to the literary world, often fostered by places like bookshops.
To take a leaf out of someone's book: (Relates to "book" generally.) To imitate or follow someone's example, which can be inspired by ideas found in books.
To close the book on something: (Relates to "book" generally.) To stop dealing with something, indicating finality, much like finishing a book.
Don't judge a book by its cover: (Relates to "book" generally, and is often applied to choices made in a bookshop.) Don't form an opinion on something or someone based solely on their outward appearance.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of bookshop from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
