Definition

Noun: A portable container, typically made from plastic or durable paper and often equipped with handles, designed for carrying purchased items from a store.

Usage

The term "shopping bag" refers specifically to the bag provided by a retailer to carry goods after a purchase. It is a common, everyday object.

Examples

• She carried her groceries home in a large shopping bag.
• The store charges a small fee for each paper shopping bag.
• He forgot his reusable shopping bag and had to buy one at the checkout.

Advanced Usage

• "Shopping bag effect": An economic or psychological term referring to the increased likelihood of making additional purchases when one is already carrying a shopping bag, signaling a readiness to buy.
• "Shopping bag lady": An older, somewhat dated idiom for a homeless woman who carries all her possessions in shopping bags. (Note: This is a compound phrase, not a direct meaning of "shopping bag" alone).

Variants and Related Words

• Carrier bag: (British English) A direct synonym for shopping bag.
• Tote bag: A sturdy bag, often made of fabric, used for shopping and other purposes.
• Reusable bag: A shopping bag designed for multiple uses to reduce waste.

Synonyms

Carrier bag, tote (in context), sack (in some regional contexts).

Antonyms

There is no direct antonym, but contrasting items could be a shopping cart (for transporting goods within a store) or a wallet (for holding money, not goods).

Related Phrases

• "Brown-bagging it": (Idiom) Bringing one's own lunch, often in a paper bag. This phrase uses "bag" but is not directly related to "shopping bag".
• "Bag for life": (Phrase) A specific type of sturdy, reusable shopping bag sold by some supermarkets.

Noun

1. a bag made of plastic or strong paper (often with handles); used to transport goods after shopping