Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
drugstore

drugstore

103 1.0
A shop that sells medicine and everyday items like soap and snacks
  • noun
  • /ˈdrʌɡˌstɔr/
  • US
translation icon : farmacia
  • "Well, I've got to go to the drugstore for my landlady," Jesse said, digging for his keys.

Hey you guys, I have a drugstore haul for you all.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Katy over at the drugstore thought you might have some work I could do.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Jesse stood at the magazine rack in the drugstore and waited for Jenny's prescription to be filled.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Just going up to the drugstore to get something to eat.

    Double Indemnity (1944)

  • You know that drugstore down the street?

    I Love Melvin (1953)

  • The drugstore across from your place.

    The Maltese Falcon (1941)

  • - I'll have to go to the drugstore.

    Working Girls (1987)

  • The young man was thirsty, so he went to the drugstore and ordered a Coke.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • To the immediate right was the old-fashioned drugstore and soda fountain.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Back at the drugstore, Sallie and Andy were chatting, and Julia was trying to walk.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • I need to stop by the drugstore to pick up my prescription.

Synonyms

pharmacy
vsdrugstore
141 2.3

A shop that sells medicines and other health items

sells medicines but also many miscellaneous nonmedical items
chem
vsdrugstore
  • UK
9 8.9

A shop that sells medicines and fills prescriptions

is the larger retail outlet selling medicines plus many other items
chemist's shop
vsdrugstore
  • UK
1 1.9

A shop that sells medicines and other health items like toiletries

is broader, including general household items beyond health products
pharm
vsdrugstore
  • Informal
1 8.1

A shop that sells medicines and fills prescriptions

is the more general shop that also offers many nonmedical things
chemist's
vsdrugstore
  • UK
1.3

A shop where you buy medicines and other health items

is the wider retail place that also stocks various nonmedical goods
apothecary's shop
vsdrugstore
  • Archaic
9.9

A shop where a person makes and sells medicines and home remedies

is the modern retail shop selling medicines together with miscellaneous goods

How Big

superstore
13 2.3
retail chain
4 2.8
drugstore
  • US
103 1.0
tuck shop
  • UK
4.5
kiosk
32 3.3

Surface Forms

drugstore singular
drugstores plural

Morphology

drugstore = drug + store (transparent) = drug + store

Direct compound of 'drug' + 'store' where the meaning 'a store selling medicines' follows standard English compounding.

Etymology

Drugstore comes from the two parts drug ('medicine') and store ('shop' or 'place that keeps things'). A helpful way to remember it is that 'drug' long ago was used for goods and medicines, so a drugstore is a shop where you can get medicines and many everyday items like cards, snacks, or shampoo.