Definition

1. Noun:
   • The small items used in sewing, such as thread, needles, buttons, and ribbons; the goods sold by a haberdasher. This meaning refers to the collection of small sewing articles and accessories.
   • A shop where such small sewing items and men's clothing accessories are sold. This meaning refers to the physical store itself.

Usage

• The word "haberdashery" is a countable noun when referring to a shop ("a haberdashery," "two haberdasheries"). It is typically an uncountable noun when referring to the goods themselves ("a selection of haberdashery").
• It is a somewhat formal or traditional term, more common in British English. In modern American English, such a shop is more likely to be called a "men's clothing store" or "men's outfitter," while the sewing items are often found in a "notions" department.

Examples

• Noun (Goods):
  • She went to the market to buy some haberdashery for her sewing project.
  • The box was filled with old haberdashery: spools of thread, thimbles, and lace.
• Noun (Shop):
  • He owns a traditional haberdashery on the high street, selling fine hats and ties.
  • I found the perfect cufflinks at the old-fashioned haberdashery downtown.

Advanced Usage

• "Haberdashery" can sometimes be used humorously or archaically to refer to men's clothing and accessories in general, emphasizing traditional style.
  • His entire wardrobe seemed to have come from a Victorian haberdashery.

Variants and Related Words

• Haberdasher (noun): A person who owns or works in a haberdashery shop; a dealer in small sewing articles or men's clothing.
  • The haberdasher helped him choose a silk pocket square.

Synonyms

• Notions (U.S. English, for the sewing items): Small accessories used in sewing.
• Mercery (British, somewhat archaic): The trade or goods of a mercer, dealing in textiles, especially silks.
• Outfitter (for the shop): A store that sells clothes and equipment for a particular activity or group.

Antonyms

• There are no direct antonyms, but general opposites could be:
  • Supermarket (for the shop context, as a large, non-specialized store).
  • Bulk goods (for the items context, as opposed to small, precise items).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• There are no common idioms using "haberdashery." The word itself is specific to its commercial and craft contexts.

Noun

1. the drygoods sold by a haberdasher
2. a store where men's clothes are sold