window-shopping
window-shopping — noun
1. the activity of walking past shops and looking at the items shown in their windo
the activity of walking past shops and looking at the items shown in their windows, without planning to buy anything
On Saturday afternoons, Aoi and her best friend enjoy window-shopping in the Shibuya district.
present participle after 'enjoy'
Window-shopping is a cheap way for families to spend time together on weekends.
uncountable noun as singular subject
Elena walked down Nanjing East Road, window-shopping at every clothing boutique.
Even without any money, Maeve loves window-shopping at the jewelry stores downtown.
- browsing
browsing is broader — you can browse in a store or online, while window-shopping is specifically about looking at displays from outside
- window-gazing
less common; emphasizes the looking aspect rather than the shopping context
- shopping
shopping usually involves buying, while window-shopping excludes purchase
文法句型
go + window-shopping
do some + window-shopping
用法筆記
This is the most common sense. The verb pattern 'go window-shopping' is a fixed collocation — the headword functions like a gerund in this structure.
常見錯誤
2. browsing through products or services on websites or apps to see what is for sal
browsing through products or services on websites or apps to see what is for sale, without planning to buy anything right away
Cyrus spent an hour window-shopping on furniture websites before choosing a desk.
spend + time + verb-ing pattern
Online window-shopping helps Reema compare prices without leaving her apartment.
compound noun pre-modified by 'online'
Selim enjoys window-shopping on auction sites just to see unusual items for sale.
Many shoppers do online window-shopping for weeks before the holiday sales begin.
- browsing online
more general term that covers all kinds of web browsing, not just products or services
- comparing prices
focuses on the price-checking goal, while window-shopping includes any kind of looking
- online shopping
online shopping involves purchasing; online window-shopping is looking only
文法句型
go + window-shopping + on + [website/platform]
do some + online + window-shopping
用法筆記
Often used with the pre-modifier 'online' to distinguish from the physical sense. Common with verbs like 'spend time', 'do', and 'enjoy'. This sense has grown more frequent with the rise of e-commerce.
常見錯誤
3. the act of looking at the different possibilities open to you in a situation bef
the act of looking at the different possibilities open to you in a situation before you decide what to do — for example, considering several job offers before choosing one, or evaluating different university programs before applying
Before accepting the job offer, Christopher did some window-shopping among other positions.
do some + window-shopping + among + [options]
The committee did some window-shopping among design proposals, which delayed the project by a week.
do some + window-shopping + among + [options]
Adisa treated the first round of interviews as window-shopping to learn about the field.
After some window-shopping among graduate programs, Ilan chose the university in Kyoto.
- exploring options
more formal and literal; lacks the light, informal tone of 'window-shopping'
- sizing up
informal; can carry a competitive or evaluative tone, while window-shopping is more neutral
- committing
committing is the act of making a final choice after the window-shopping phase
文法句型
do some + window-shopping + among + [options]
treat + [something] + as + window-shopping
用法筆記
This is a metaphorical extension of the literal senses. It always implies that the person is gathering information and has not yet made a commitment. The subject is typically a person or an organization considering alternatives. Avoid using this sense in formal writing.