Ultimate ESL Shopping Vocabulary List with Top 100 Words

Looking for the ultimate shopping vocabulary list to make your ESL lessons fun and practical? You’ve just found the best resource! This post has 100 essential shopping words, carefully grouped into 10 easy-to-use categories. Whether you teach beginners or advanced students, these words will help your learners speak confidently about shopping in real life.

Why should you read this post? Because it’s more than just a list. Each word comes with clear pronunciation, meanings, and example sentences. This means you can build engaging conversations and ask meaningful questions that your students will love. You’ll also find useful common expressions and idioms that make shopping language natural and fun.

Want to boost your class activities? Use these words for exciting role-plays where students practice real shopping scenarios. You can even design a lively debate about shopping habits or sales. This resource is made to help you save time planning and to make your lessons effective and memorable.

Get ready to transform your ESL classroom with this complete shopping vocabulary guide. Dive in, and watch your students gain confidence while having fun!

Why Shopping Vocabulary Is Important

Shopping is a part of everyday life, and talking about it in English helps learners in many ways. When students know the right words, they can explain what they want, ask for help, and understand prices and labels. This makes shopping easier and more enjoyable.

In an ESL classroom, shopping vocabulary is useful because it covers many types of words. These include names of products, numbers, sizes, and even phrases people use when they buy things. Learning these words helps students practice speaking, listening, and reading skills all at once.

Also, shopping is a great topic for different classroom activities. Students can practice conversations by pretending to shop or be a cashier. They can ask and answer questions about products. Teachers can use role-plays to make the learning real and fun.

By learning shopping vocabulary, students gain useful language they can use outside the classroom. It also helps build their confidence to use English in daily life. This foundation will make it easier to learn more advanced words and phrases later on.

1. Types of Stores and Places

When teaching shopping-related vocabulary, it’s essential to start with the places where people shop. These terms help learners describe their surroundings, share experiences, and understand where to go for specific items. You can use this list for vocabulary matching, speaking drills, or role-play scenarios about where to shop.

Word	CEFR	IPA	Meaning	Example Sentence
supermarket	A1	/ˈsuː.pəˌmɑː.kɪt/	A large store that sells food and household items	I go to the supermarket every Sunday to buy groceries.
mall	A2	/mɔːl/	A large building with many stores inside	Let’s meet at the mall and do some shopping.
boutique	B1	/buːˈtiːk/	A small shop that sells fashionable clothes or accessories	She bought a beautiful dress from a boutique.
department store	B1	/dɪˈpɑːt.mənt stɔː/	A large store divided into sections, each selling different things	I got my shoes at the department store downtown.
pharmacy	A2	/ˈfɑː.mə.si/	A store that sells medicine and health-related products	I stopped by the pharmacy to pick up my prescription.
convenience store	A2	/kənˈviː.ni.əns stɔː/	A small store open long hours that sells snacks, drinks, and basic items	You can get milk at the convenience store nearby.
market	A1	/ˈmɑː.kɪt/	A place where people buy and sell goods, often outdoors	I love buying fresh vegetables at the market.
grocery store	A1	/ˈɡrəʊ.sər.i stɔː/	A store that mainly sells food items	The grocery store has a sale on fruit today.
thrift shop	B1	/θrɪft ʃɒp/	A shop selling second-hand items, often for charity	I found a vintage coat at the thrift shop.
outlet store	B2	/ˈaʊt.let stɔː/	A store that sells branded goods at reduced prices	We bought designer shoes at the outlet store.

2. Shopping Verbs

Verbs are the heartbeat of any conversation, and when it comes to shopping, learners need a strong set of action words to describe what they’re doing. These verbs are perfect for creating dialogues, role-plays, or classroom skits focused on shopping situations. Use them in context so students can master real-life communication.

Word	CEFR	IPA	Meaning	Example Sentence
buy	A1	/baɪ/	To get something by paying money for it	I want to buy a new phone this weekend.
pay	A1	/peɪ/	To give money in exchange for goods or services	You can pay by card or with cash.
sell	A1	/sel/	To give something in exchange for money	They sell fresh bread at the bakery.
return	A2	/rɪˈtɜːn/	To take something back to the store	I need to return this shirt because it’s too small.
exchange	B1	/ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/	To swap one item for another	Can I exchange this for a different size?
try on	A2	/traɪ ɒn/	To put on clothes to see if they fit or look good	She tried on the jacket before buying it.
browse	B1	/braʊz/	To look around without a specific plan to buy something	I like to browse before making a decision.
spend	A2	/spend/	To use money to buy something	I spent too much on groceries this week.
shop	A1	/ʃɒp/	To go to stores to look for or buy things	We usually shop for clothes on weekends.
afford	B1	/əˈfɔːd/	To have enough money to pay for something	I can’t afford that brand—it’s too expensive.

3. Items and Products

Students often need help naming everyday items they see while shopping. This section focuses on common products learners encounter in grocery stores, clothing shops, and household sections. These words are essential for vocabulary-building activities, shopping lists, and role-plays.

Word	CEFR	IPA	Meaning	Example Sentence
milk	A1	/mɪlk/	A white liquid from cows, often used in tea or cereal	I bought a carton of milk this morning.
bread	A1	/bred/	A common food made from flour and baked in an oven	We need to get some fresh bread for breakfast.
eggs	A1	/eɡz/	Oval food items laid by hens, used in cooking	I eat boiled eggs every day.
jeans	A1	/dʒiːnz/	Denim pants, usually blue	He bought a new pair of jeans from the store.
shampoo	A2	/ʃæmˈpuː/	A liquid used to wash hair	I need to buy more shampoo—mine is finished.
toothpaste	A2	/ˈtuːθ.peɪst/	A paste used with a toothbrush to clean teeth	Don’t forget to get toothpaste while shopping.
rice	A1	/raɪs/	Small white grains used in many meals	We eat rice almost every day in our family.
soap	A1	/səʊp/	A solid or liquid substance used for washing	This soap smells really nice.
t-shirt	A1	/ˈtiː.ʃɜːt/	A light cotton top with short sleeves	He bought a red t-shirt for the summer.
jacket	A2	/ˈdʒæk.ɪt/	A piece of clothing worn on the upper body for warmth	You should wear a jacket—it’s cold outside.

4. Payment and Money-Related Terms

Understanding how to talk about money and payment is key for learners in real-life shopping situations. This section covers the essential words related to how we pay, prices, and types of money. These terms are useful for role-plays, realia-based activities, and comparing shopping habits in different cultures.

Word	CEFR	IPA	Meaning	Example Sentence
cash	A1	/kæʃ/	Money in coins or notes	I paid for the fruit in cash.
credit card	A2	/ˈkred.ɪt ˌkɑːd/	A plastic card used to buy things now and pay later	Do you accept credit cards here?
price	A1	/praɪs/	The amount of money something costs	What’s the price of this jacket?
cheap	A1	/tʃiːp/	Low in price	These shoes were really cheap but look great.
expensive	A1	/ɪkˈspen.sɪv/	High in price	That bag is too expensive for me.
discount	A2	/ˈdɪs.kaʊnt/	A reduction in the regular price	There’s a 20% discount on winter clothes this week.
change	A2	/tʃeɪndʒ/	The money returned when you pay more than the cost	Here’s your change.
receipt	B1	/rɪˈsiːt/	A written or printed proof of payment	Can I have a receipt, please?
wallet	A2	/ˈwɒl.ɪt/	A small case for carrying money and cards	I left my wallet at home.
total	A2	/ˈtəʊ.təl/	The final amount you have to pay	Your total comes to $25.

5. Shopping Adjectives

Adjectives help learners describe products, express opinions, and compare prices or quality. This list gives students the tools they need to describe what they like or dislike while shopping. Use these in pair-work, product comparisons, or group discussions.

Word	CEFR	IPA	Meaning	Example Sentence
cheap	A1	/tʃiːp/	Low in price	These sunglasses were really cheap.
expensive	A1	/ɪkˈspen.sɪv/	High in price	That coat is too expensive for my budget.
new	A1	/njuː/	Recently made or bought	I bought a new dress for the party.
used	A2	/juːzd/	Not new; previously owned	This phone is used, but it still works well.
fresh	A2	/freʃ/	Recently made or gathered; not old or stale	The market sells fresh vegetables every day.
ripe	B1	/raɪp/	Ready to eat (for fruits and vegetables)	These bananas are not ripe yet.
durable	B2	/ˈdjʊə.rə.bəl/	Strong and long-lasting	This bag is expensive but very durable.
trendy	B1	/ˈtren.di/	Fashionable; in style right now	Those shoes look really trendy!
comfortable	A2	/ˈkʌm.fə.tə.bəl/	Easy to wear or use; not causing pain or stress	These jeans are comfortable and fit perfectly.
affordable	B1	/əˈfɔː.də.bəl/	Reasonably priced; not too expensive	I prefer this store because it’s affordable.

6. People and Places in Shopping

Shopping involves not only items but also people and places. This section introduces vocabulary related to store types and the people learners meet when shopping. These words are perfect for role-plays, matching games, and speaking activities.

Word	CEFR	IPA	Meaning	Example Sentence
shop	A1	/ʃɒp/	A place where you buy goods	I’m going to the shop to buy some snacks.
store	A1	/stɔːr/	Another word for shop (especially in American English)	I found this dress at the new clothing store.
market	A1	/ˈmɑː.kɪt/	A place where people sell food and goods	We went to the local market for vegetables.
mall	A2	/mɔːl/ or /mæl/	A large building with many stores	Let’s go shopping at the mall this weekend.
supermarket	A1	/ˈsuː.pəˌmɑː.kɪt/	A large shop that sells food and household items	I do most of my grocery shopping at the supermarket.
cashier	A2	/kæˈʃɪə/	A person who takes payment at a store	The cashier gave me a receipt.
customer	A2	/ˈkʌs.tə.mər/	A person who buys something	The shop was full of customers today.
salesperson	B1	/ˈseɪlzˌpɜː.sən/	Someone who helps customers and sells products	The salesperson helped me choose a new phone.
butcher	B1	/ˈbʊtʃ.ər/	A person who sells meat	I bought lamb from the butcher’s shop.
pharmacy	B1	/ˈfɑː.mə.si/	A shop where you buy medicine	I stopped by the pharmacy to get some painkillers.

7. Sales and Discounts

Understanding sales and discount vocabulary helps learners spot good deals and talk about prices during shopping. This section is perfect for role-plays, price comparisons, and listening practice with shopping announcements.

Word	CEFR	IPA	Meaning	Example Sentence
sale	A1	/seɪl/	When items are sold at a lower price than usual	The store has a big sale this weekend.
discount	A2	/ˈdɪs.kaʊnt/	A reduction in the price of something	They gave me a 20% discount on the shoes.
bargain	A2	/ˈbɑːr.ɡɪn/	Something bought at a lower price than usual	I found a great bargain on this jacket.
clearance	B1	/ˈklɪə.rəns/	Selling products at reduced prices to clear stock	The store is having a clearance sale on last season’s clothes.
coupon	B1	/ˈkuː.pɒn/	A voucher that gives you a discount	I used a coupon to save money on groceries.
offer	A2	/ˈɒf.ər/	A special price or deal	There’s a special offer on laptops this week.
price cut	B1	/praɪs kʌt/	A reduction in price	The price cut made the TV more affordable.
half price	B1	/hæf praɪs/	Selling something for 50% less than the usual price	All shoes are half price today!
buy one get one free	B2	/baɪ wʌn ɡɛt wʌn friː/	A promotion where buying one item gives you another free	This store has a buy one get one free offer on socks.
limited time	B2	/ˈlɪm.ɪ.tɪd taɪm/	Available only for a short period	The discount is available for a limited time only.

8. Sizes, Quantities, and Measurements

Talking about how much or how big something is important in shopping. This section introduces key words learners need to describe sizes, amounts, and measurements. These terms are great for practice with numbers, comparisons, and real-life dialogues.

Word	CEFR	IPA	Meaning	Example Sentence
small	A1	/smɔːl/	Little in size	I want a small coffee, please.
medium	A2	/ˈmiː.di.əm/	Between small and large	She ordered a medium pizza.
large	A1	/lɑːrdʒ/	Big in size	He bought a large bottle of water.
few	A1	/fjuː/	A small number of something	I need a few apples for the recipe.
many	A1	/ˈmɛ.ni/	A large number of something	There are many people in the store today.
some	A1	/sʌm/	An unspecified amount or number	Can I have some bread?
a lot of	A2	/ə lɒt əv/	A large amount or number	She buys a lot of vegetables every week.
dozen	B1	/ˈdʌz.ən/	A group or set of 12	I bought a dozen eggs this morning.
liter	B1	/ˈliː.tər/	A metric unit for measuring liquid	I need two liters of milk for the recipe.
kilogram	B2	/ˈkɪl.əˌɡræm/	A metric unit for measuring weight	How many kilograms of rice do you want?

9. Packaging and Labels

Knowing packaging and label vocabulary helps learners understand product information and make good choices while shopping. This section is useful for reading practice and role-plays where students describe or compare products.

Word	CEFR	IPA	Meaning	Example Sentence
package	A2	/ˈpæk.ɪdʒ/	The container or wrapping of a product	The package says the cookies are gluten-free.
label	A2	/ˈleɪ.bəl/	Information printed on the package	Check the label for ingredients.
brand	A2	/brænd/	The company or product name	I prefer this brand of chocolate.
expiry date	B1	/ɪkˈspaɪə.ri deɪt/	The date after which a product should not be used	Always check the expiry date before buying milk.
ingredients	B1	/ɪnˈɡriː.di.ənts/	The materials or food items in a product	The ingredients list shows there are nuts in this candy.
weight	A1	/weɪt/	How heavy something is	The weight of this box is 2 kilograms.
volume	B1	/ˈvɒl.juːm/	The amount of space something takes up	The bottle’s volume is 500 milliliters.
sealed	B2	/siːld/	Closed tightly so nothing can get in or out	The package was sealed when I bought it.
recyclable	B2	/riːˈsaɪ.klə.bəl/	Able to be recycled	Look for products with recyclable packaging.
nutritional information	B2	/ˌnuː.trɪˈʃə.nəl ɪn.fəˈmeɪ.ʃən/	Details about the food’s nutrients	The nutritional information is on the back of the box.

10. Shopping Vocabulary for Online Shopping

Online shopping has its own set of words that learners should know. This section covers important vocabulary for navigating websites, ordering products, and dealing with deliveries. Perfect for digital literacy and modern communication practice.

Word	CEFR	IPA	Meaning	Example Sentence
add to cart	A2	/æd tuː kɑːrt/	To select an item to buy and put it in a virtual shopping cart	I added the shoes to my cart before checking out.
checkout	A2	/ˈtʃek.aʊt/	The process of paying for items online	After selecting the items, I went to checkout.
delivery	A1	/dɪˈlɪvəri/	The act of bringing goods to your home	The delivery arrived this morning.
shipping	A2	/ˈʃɪp.ɪŋ/	The process of sending items to the buyer	Shipping costs are free for orders over $50.
track (your order)	B1	/træk/	To follow the progress of your delivery	You can track your order online.
refund	B1	/ˈriː.fʌnd/	Money returned when you return a product	I got a refund because the shoes didn’t fit.
review	A2	/rɪˈvjuː/	A customer’s opinion about a product	I read the reviews before buying the laptop.
wishlist	B2	/ˈwɪʃ.lɪst/	A list of products a customer wants to buy later	I put the jacket on my wishlist for Christmas.
out of stock	B1	/aʊt əv stɒk/	When a product is not available to buy	The phone I wanted is out of stock.
secure payment	B2	/sɪˈkjʊər ˈpeɪ.mənt/	A safe way to pay online	The website offers secure payment options.

Conclusion

Teaching shopping vocabulary in ESL classes gives students practical language skills they can use every day. It helps learners communicate clearly when they go shopping, understand product information, and talk about prices and discounts. Using this vocabulary also makes lessons more engaging through conversations, role-plays, and debates.

With the right words and expressions, students feel more confident and motivated to speak English. This resource provides everything teachers need to plan fun and effective lessons that connect language learning with real-life situations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Using Shopping Vocabulary in ESL Class

Q1: What is the best way to teach shopping vocabulary to ESL students?
Using real-life activities like role-plays and conversations helps students practice shopping vocabulary naturally. Visual aids such as pictures or actual products make learning clearer and more interesting.

Q2: How can I help students remember new shopping words?
Encourage students to use the new words in sentences and everyday conversations. Games, flashcards, and repeated practice through different activities also improve retention.

Q3: Can I use shopping vocabulary with beginners?
Yes! Start with simple words and phrases like “price,” “buy,” and “sale.” Gradually introduce more complex vocabulary as students become comfortable.

Q4: How do I include shopping vocabulary in speaking practice?
Create role-play scenarios where students act as buyers and sellers. Use common expressions and questions from the vocabulary list to make the practice realistic.

Q5: Are idioms and expressions important for shopping lessons?
Absolutely. Idioms and expressions help students sound more natural and understand how native speakers talk about shopping in everyday life.

Q6: How can I assess students’ knowledge of shopping vocabulary?
Use quizzes, oral role-plays, and written exercises. Ask students to describe products, explain prices, or discuss sales and discounts to check understanding.

Q7: Should I include online shopping vocabulary in my lessons?
Yes, online shopping is very common today. Teaching this vocabulary helps students navigate websites, place orders, and talk about deliveries confidently.

Q8: How do I adapt shopping vocabulary lessons for advanced learners?
Introduce more detailed vocabulary, including packaging, nutritional information, and sales terms. Include debates or discussions on shopping habits and consumer rights.

Q9: What common mistakes do ESL learners make with shopping vocabulary?
Students often confuse similar words like “price” and “cost” or use incorrect prepositions. Practice and correction during conversations help fix these errors.

Q10: Can shopping vocabulary lessons improve other language skills?
Yes, these lessons support speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Shopping scenarios provide a real-world context to practice all these skills together.