shopworn furniture
- noun
- The manager discounted the shopworn furniture after months of display.
Examples
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Although the shopworn furniture had a few scratches, it was still sturdy and attractive.
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She decided to buy the shopworn furniture because it fit her budget.
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The store had a sale on shopworn furniture.
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Many customers avoid shopworn furniture because it looks old.
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Many people choose to buy shopworn furniture as it is often more affordable than new items.
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The shopworn furniture in the corner of the living room gave the space a cozy, vintage feel.
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After inspecting the shopworn furniture, she appreciated its unique character despite the minor wear.
Antonyms
How Worn
Surface Forms
Morphology
The adjective 'shopworn' literally denotes merchandise faded or scuffed from being on display, so combining it with 'furniture' directly yields furniture that is worn from shop display or considered outdated. This ADJ+NOUN compositional pattern is straightforward and predictable, making the meaning readily understandable to B1 learners who know the constituent words.
Etymology
Shopworn furniture paints a simple picture: furniture left on display in a shop gets touched, sat on, and faded until it looks worn. So shopworn furniture now means pieces that are a bit damaged or seem 'outdated'.