Definition

Noun (plural, treated as singular or plural) 1. Fresh fruits and vegetables grown for the market: The term refers to produce—such as apples, lettuce, carrots, and bananas—that is sold to consumers, typically emphasizing its fresh, unprocessed state. It is the merchandise sold by a green grocer.

Usage Notes

• The term "green groceries" is a plural noun. It refers to the collective items themselves, not the store.
• It is somewhat dated but still understood, particularly in British English contexts. In modern American English, "produce" is more common.
• It can be used with both singular and plural verbs, depending on whether the focus is on the collective group (singular) or the individual items (plural).
  • Singular focus: The green groceries is delivered on Tuesday. (The collective batch of produce)
  • Plural focus: The green groceries are displayed neatly. (The individual fruits and vegetables)

Examples

• She bought her green groceries from the local farmer's market every Saturday.
• The van was loaded with fresh green groceries for the downtown shops.
• His job was to sort and price the incoming green groceries.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) to describe related things.
  • a green groceries stall (a stall selling produce)
  • the green groceries section (the part of a store selling produce)

Variants and Related Words

• Green grocer (noun): A person or store that sells fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • I'll stop by the green grocer on my way home.
• Greengrocery (noun, chiefly British): Can mean either the trade of selling produce or a shop selling produce.
  • He works in the greengrocery business.

Synonyms

• Produce (noun): General term for agricultural products, especially fruits and vegetables.
• Fresh produce: Emphasizes the fresh, unprocessed nature.
• Fruit and vegetables / Fruits and veggies: A simple, direct description.

Related Phrases

• To sell green groceries: To be in the business of selling fresh produce.
  • For generations, their family has sold green groceries in the town square.

Noun

1. fresh fruits and vegetable grown for the market