Definition

Noun: 1. A type of informal market: A boot sale is an outdoor event, typically held in a large open area like a field or a car park, where individuals sell unwanted household items, collectibles, and other goods directly from the boot (trunk) of their car.

Usage

• The term is primarily used in British English. The equivalent in American English is often "trunk sale" or "flea market," though a boot sale specifically implies sellers using their car boots as stalls.
• It describes both the event itself and the activity of selling or shopping at such an event.
• It is often part of the compound term "car boot sale."

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "to do/have a boot sale": To participate as a seller at a boot sale.
  • We're having a boot sale this weekend to get rid of the kids' old clothes.
• "boot sale find": An item purchased at a boot sale, often implying it was a good bargain or a rare discovery.
  • That antique vase was an amazing boot sale find.

Variants and Related Words

• Car boot sale (n): The full and most common term for this type of event.
• Trunk sale (n): The American English equivalent.
• Flea market (n): A general term for a market selling second-hand goods, which may include but is not limited to sales from car boots.
• Jumble sale (n): A sale of second-hand goods, typically held indoors by a charity or community group.

Synonyms

• Flea market
• Yard sale / Garage sale (though these are usually held at a person's home)
• Swap meet
• Street market (in a general sense)

Related Phrases

• Boot fair: Another term used interchangeably with "car boot sale," particularly in some regions of the UK.
• Early bird: A term used at boot sales for buyers who arrive very early, often before the official start time, to find the best items.

Noun

1. an outdoor sale at which people sell things from the trunk of their car