window-shop

[ win-doh-shop ]

verb (used without object)

, win·dow-shopped, win·dow-shop·ping.

1. to look at articles in the windows of stores without making any purchases.
2. to examine or evaluate merchandise for possible purchase, use, etc.:

   Russian delegations are window-shopping in European factories.

verb (used with object)

, win·dow-shopped, win·dow-shop·ping.

1. to look at (merchandise) in the windows of stores without making any purchases:

   to window-shop shoes.

window-shop

verb

1. intr to look at goods in shop windows without buying them

Derived Forms

• ˈwindow-ˌshopping, noun
• ˈwindow-ˌshopper, noun

Other Words From

• window-shopper noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of window-shop¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

It was like having a platinum card in my pocket, and being told I could only window shop.

From The Daily Beast