clientele

[klahy-uhn-tel, klee-ahn-]

noun

1. the clients or customers, as of a professional person or shop, considered collectively; a group or body of clients.

   This jewelry store has a wealthy clientele.

2. dependents or followers.

clientele

/ ˌkliːɒnˈtɛl, ˈklaɪəntɪdʒ /

noun

1. customers or clients collectively

Word History and Origins

Origin of clientele¹

1555–65; < Latin clientēla, equivalent to client- ( client ) + -ēla collective noun suffix; clientele ( def. 1 ) probably < French clientèle < Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of clientele¹

C16: from Latin clientēla, from cliēns _client

Example Sentences

“There’s a wealthier clientele that is actually buying up a lot of gold because they see it as investment, and they already have that cash liquid,” she said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One example: After a militarized visit from federal agents in June to the Santa Fe Springs Swapmeet, vendors have been unable to regain their clientele.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

With Barnett’s extravagant window displays, she lured the dining crowd over and began to build a celebrity clientele from there.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Worldwide, the percentage of 18 to 34-year-olds opting for cosmetic tweaks is growing, making up nearly a quarter of the clientele.

Read more on BBC

It is a social centre, not just for his community but for an overwhelmingly right-wing and religiously-observant clientele who make special journeys there.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• audience 
• constituency