retail

[ree-teyl, ri-teyl]

noun

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

adjective

1. pertaining to, connected with, or engaged in sale at retail.

   the retail price.

adverb

1. in a retail quantity or at a retail price.

verb (used with object)

1. to sell at retail; sell directly to the consumer.

2. to relate or repeat in detail to others.

   to retail scandal.

verb (used without object)

1. to be sold at retail.

   It retails at 50 cents.

retail

/ ˈriːteɪl /

noun

1. the sale of goods individually or in small quantities to consumers Compare wholesale

adjective

1. of, relating to, or engaged in such selling

   retail prices

adverb

1. in small amounts or at a retail price

verb

1. to sell or be sold in small quantities to consumers

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

retail

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

Other Word Forms

• retailer noun
• nonretail adjective
• nonretailer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of retail¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; (for the noun) late Middle English, from Anglo-French: “a cut,” derivative of retailler “to cut,” from re- re- + tailler “to cut” ( tail ² ); (for the verb) Middle English retailen, from Old French retailler

Word History and Origins

Origin of retail¹

C14: from Old French retaillier to cut off, from _re- + taillier to cut; see _tailor

Example Sentences

So-called evergreen private funds, which are designed for this huge pool of retail investors, have raised an estimated $450 billion, most of it in the past several years, according to PitchBook and Morningstar.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This year, the National Retail Federation expects retail sales in November and December to pass $1 trillion for the first time ever.

Read more on MarketWatch

With bitcoin now more than 30% below its peak, there are worries about further forced selling as retail investors might need to liquidate other assets to meet margin calls, they say.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Key U.S. releases include September retail sales and food services on Tuesday and September durable goods data on Wednesday.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

An advance tally of receipts by Statistics Canada indicates retail sales were relatively unchanged in October.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• peddle 

When To Use

What does retail mean?

Retail is the sale of goods to the person who will actually use the goods. It is often used to describe the consumer goods industry, as in Jade worked in retail over the summer break to earn money for school.Retail is also used to describe something related to sales at retail, as in While the wholesale price is low, the retail price is much higher because the store’s rent is also very high.To retail is to sell directly to the consumer or to be sold at retail.Example: The retail store down the road has a sale on all sorts of good stuff today.