dime-store

1 of 2

adjective

ˈdīm-ˌstȯr 

1

: inexpensive

dime-store perfume

2

: tawdry, second-rate

dime-store philosophy

dime store

2 of 2

noun

: five-and-dime

Synonyms

Adjective

• affordable
• bargain-basement
• budget
• cheap
• cheapie
• cheapo
• chintzy
• cut-price [chiefly British]
• cut-rate
• dirt cheap
• el cheapo
• inexpensive
• low
• low-end
• popular
• reasonable

Examples of dime-store in a Sentence

Adjective

a dime-store tablecloth that is certainly good enough for a picnic

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Because of the pervasive influence of death and black metal’s dependence on themes of depression, pessimism, and negativity, and dime-store Satanism — some lyrics can seem pro forma. —Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2025

Why, then, does the show have all the resonance of a dime-store, plywood knockoff? —Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025

Noun

Soon afterward, cheap paperback classics could be found everywhere from newsstands to dime stores. —Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

Salem, circa 1955: Before the opening of Walmart, many small-town main streets were home to a Ben Franklin dime store, one of which was under the franchise that gave Sam Walton his start in Newport, 1945. —Ray Hanley, arkansasonline.com, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1928, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dime-store

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• blastopore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore

Kids Definition

dime store

noun

: a store that sells mainly inexpensive goods