shipping
The act of sending goods or items from one place to another, typically by mail or a delivery service. In a shopping context, it also refers to the fee paid to have an item delivered to your home.
Examples
3 of 5I bought a new shirt online, but I had to pay ten dollars for shipping.
I paid a fee to have my new shirt delivered to me.
Please ensure that the shipping address provided is correct to avoid delays.
Make sure the delivery location is written correctly.
Does this website offer free shipping?
Can I get my items delivered without paying extra?
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Ship' carrying a box. Even if it comes in a small van, we still call the movement 'shipping'.
Quick Quiz
If you spend more than $50, the ______ is free.
Correct!
The correct answer is: shipping
Examples
I bought a new shirt online, but I had to pay ten dollars for shipping.
everydayI paid a fee to have my new shirt delivered to me.
Please ensure that the shipping address provided is correct to avoid delays.
formalMake sure the delivery location is written correctly.
Does this website offer free shipping?
informalCan I get my items delivered without paying extra?
The growth of e-commerce has significantly increased the volume of global shipping.
academicOnline shopping has made the movement of goods around the world much larger.
Our company is looking for a more reliable shipping partner for international orders.
businessWe need a better delivery company for customers in other countries.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
shipping and handling
the total cost of preparing and sending an item
next-day shipping
a service where the item is sent to arrive tomorrow
flat-rate shipping
the same delivery price regardless of weight
Often Confused With
Shipping is the process of sending the item; delivery is the final act of it arriving at your door.
Shipping refers to the service or process, whereas a shipment is the specific group of goods being sent.
Usage Notes
At level A1, you mostly use 'shipping' when talking about buying things online. It is often used as a noun to describe the cost or the method of getting an item.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'shipping' to mean only large boats, but in modern English, it is most commonly used for mail and online shopping packages.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Ship' carrying a box. Even if it comes in a small van, we still call the movement 'shipping'.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old English word 'scip', referring originally to the transport of goods by sea.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western countries, 'Free Shipping' is a major marketing tool used by online retailers to encourage customers to buy more.
Quick Quiz
If you spend more than $50, the ______ is free.
Correct!
The correct answer is: shipping
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
More Shopping words
mall
A1A mall is a large building or a group of buildings that contains many different shops and stores connected by walkways. It is a central place where people go to shop, eat at food courts, and sometimes see movies.
supermarket
A1A large self-service store that sells a wide variety of food, drinks, and household products. It is organized into aisles where customers use baskets or carts to collect their items before paying at a checkout counter.
bakery
A1A bakery is a place where bread, cakes, pastries, and other flour-based foods are baked and sold. It is a specialized shop that often serves as a local source for fresh breakfast items and desserts.
cashier
A1A person whose job is to receive and pay out money in a shop, bank, or restaurant. They usually work at a checkout or a counter to handle customer transactions and provide receipts.
merchandise
A1Merchandise refers to goods or products that are bought and sold in a business or store. It is a collective term used to describe all the items available for customers to purchase.
tag
A1A small piece of paper, plastic, or metal attached to an object to provide information about it. In shopping, it usually shows the price, size, or brand of the product.
package
A1A package is an object or group of items wrapped together in paper or packed in a box. It is commonly used for items sent through the mail or products bought in a store.
container
A1A container is an object used for holding or carrying things, such as a box, bottle, or jar. In a shopping context, it often refers to the packaging that holds food or products.
wrapper
A1A piece of paper, plastic, or thin metal foil that is used to cover or protect something, especially food. It is usually removed and thrown away before the item is used or eaten.
clothes
A1Clothes are the items such as shirts, trousers, and dresses that people wear to cover their bodies. This word is always plural and refers to the garments used for protection, comfort, or fashion.
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