the high street

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableBritish

   The main street in a town where most shops and banks are located.

   Grammar: Often used with 'the' when talking about a specific town's main street: 'the high street'.

   Patterns

   • on the high street
   • go to the high street
   • the high street is busy

   I'm going to the high street to buy some shoes.

   The high street was crowded with shoppers on Saturday.

   There's a new café on the high street.

2. 2noununcountableBritishbusiness

   The business of shops and stores that sell directly to the public, especially compared to online shopping.

   Grammar: Used without 'a' or 'the' when talking about the retail sector in general.

   Patterns

   • high street sales
   • high street stores
   • high street vs online

   Many high street shops have closed because of online competition.

   The report compares high street spending with internet shopping.

   High street retailers are struggling to attract customers.

Word forms

Common combinations

high street shops

High street shops often have sales in January.

high street bank

You can open an account at any high street bank.

on the high street

There are three pharmacies on the high street.

Synonyms and how they differ

main street

Used in American English for the main street of a town; 'high street' is the British equivalent.

downtown

American English for the central business area of a town or city.

Word family

high-street adjective

Used before a noun to mean relating to the high street, as in 'high-street brands'.

Commonly confused: the high street or Main Street?

Practice

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