By Vahid Alaghehband
Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving, when many stores offer big discounts. In 2026 it's on Friday, November 27, and Cyber Monday, with online deals, is on Monday, November 30.
Here's the English you need to shop online: cart, shipping, sizes and returns, plus phrases for customer service chats.
Why is it called Black Friday?
According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, quoted by NBC Chicago, Philadelphia police used the term in the 1960s for the traffic jams and crowds on the day after Thanksgiving. In the 1980s, retailers linked it to moving from the red into the black, that is, from losses to profit.
Online shopping vocabulary
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| sale | Everything is on sale. |
| discount | There's a 30% discount. |
| deal | That's a great deal! |
| promo code / coupon | Enter the promo code at checkout. |
| cart | Add it to your cart. |
| checkout | Go to checkout. |
| shipping | How much is shipping? |
| free shipping | Orders over $50 get free shipping. |
| delivery | Delivery takes five days. |
| tracking number | Here's your tracking number. |
| out of stock | Sorry, it's out of stock. |
| size | Do you have it in a medium size? |
| return policy | What's the return policy? |
| refund | I'd like a refund, please. |
Useful shopping phrases
- Is this on sale?
- Does it come in black?
- Do you ship to Ecuador?
- When will my order arrive?
- I'd like to return this item.
On sale means discounted; for sale just means available to buy.
Mini quiz
These shoes are ___ sale: 40% off! (on / for)
Show answer
on: on sale = discounted.
Sorry, this size is out ___ stock.
Show answer
of: out of stock.
Practice shopping English with Vozi Coach
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Explore Vozi Coach →Read next: Thanksgiving vocabulary and 50 everyday English expressions.
Frequently asked questions
When is Black Friday in 2026?
Friday, November 27, 2026. Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30.
Why is it called Black Friday?
Philadelphia police used the term in the 1960s for the crowds and traffic the day after Thanksgiving; later retailers linked it to moving into the black (profit).
What's the difference between on sale and for sale?
On sale means discounted; for sale means available to buy.
