retail

[ ree-teyl for 1–4, 6; ri-teyl for 5 ]

/ ˈri teɪl for 1–4, 6; rɪˈteɪl for 5 /

noun

the sale of goods to ultimate consumers, usually in small quantities (opposed to wholesale).

adjective

pertaining to, connected with, or engaged in sale at retail: the retail price.

adverb

in a retail quantity or at a retail price.

verb (used with object)

to sell at retail; sell directly to the consumer.

to relate or repeat in detail to others: to retail scandal.

verb (used without object)

to be sold at retail: It retails at 50 cents.

Words nearby retail

resveratrol, reszke, ret, ret., retable, retail, retail politics, retail price index, retail therapy, retailing, retain

Origin of retail

1375–1425; (noun) late Middle English < Anglo-French: a cutting, derivative of retailler to cut, equivalent to re- re- + tailler to cut (see tail²); (v.) Middle English retailen < Old French retailler

OTHER WORDS FROM retail

re·tail·er, nounnon·re·tail, adjectivenon·re·tail·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for non-retail

retail

/ (ˈriːteɪl) /

noun

the sale of goods individually or in small quantities to consumersCompare wholesale (def. 1)

adjective

of, relating to, or engaged in such sellingretail prices

adverb

in small amounts or at a retail price

verb

to sell or be sold in small quantities to consumers

(rɪˈteɪl) (tr) to relate (gossip, scandal, etc) in detail, esp persistently

Derived forms of retail

retailer, noun

Word Origin for retail

C14: from Old French retaillier to cut off, from re- + taillier to cut; see tailor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for non-retail

retail

A term describing businesses that sell goods directly to individuals. (Compare wholesale.)