greengrocer

Everyday

1. A greengrocer is a person who sells fresh fruit and vegetables in a shop. tree →
2. A greengrocer's (or greengrocer) is the shop itself. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, the greengrocer's is a small shop or market stall for fruit and veg. In maths problems, greengrocers often sell apples by the kilo or by the bag. In grammar, «the greengrocer's apostrophe» is a joke name for wrong apostrophes such as «apple's 50p». Common phrases: «the greengrocer's», «local greengrocer», «greengrocer's apostrophe».

Examples

• Mum buys carrots at the greengrocer's on the high street. tree →
• The greengrocer weighed the potatoes on his scales. tree →
• A greengrocer sells bananas for 20p each — how much do 6 cost? tree →
• The greengrocer's sign said «banana's», a classic greengrocer's apostrophe. tree →
• Our local greengrocer has the best strawberries. tree →
• In the USA, people usually buy produce at a grocery store or farmers' market. tree →
• The greengrocer gave me a free apple. tree →

Note

Plural: greengrocers. «The greengrocer's» means the greengrocer's shop. Mostly British, Irish, Australian and New Zealand English; Americans say «produce store» or «fruit stand». A greengrocer is different from a grocer, who sells all kinds of food.