retail

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

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

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR retail ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Nearby words

reszke, reszke, jean de, ret, ret., retable, retail, retail politics, retail price index, retail therapy, retailer, retailing

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

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for retailer

Lululemon Promotes Anti-Sunscreen: Printed on the bags of retailer Lululemon is a warning against the use of sunscreen.
Lottie Moss Channels Kate for Calvin Klein; Terry Richardson Shoots for 'Playboy'|The Fashion Beast Team|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The most affordable item of Middleton's was a dress from British retailer Hobbs, which cost $58.
Dolce & Gabbana Sentenced to Prison (Again); Kate Middleton's Royal Tour Wardrobe Cost $65K|The Fashion Beast Team|April 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mango Launches Plus-Size Line: Spanish retailer Mango has announced its addition of a plus-size line, Violetta by Mango.
Lululemon Founder Resigns; Victoria Beckham's Wedding Tiara Fails to Sell|The Fashion Beast Team|December 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
So when the retailer priced its initial 12.5 million shares at $18 a share, investors piled in.
Container Store Lets Loose in IPO|William O’Connor|November 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The retailer, he says, may be a bit expensive, but it pays workers a living wage in the struggling economy.
Meet Yoel Weisshaus, the Hasidic Face of American Apparel|Nina Strochlic|September 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The retailer with small capital has always had to carry on an unequal contest with the retailer with large capital.
Knowledge is Power:|Charles Knight
This is one factor that makes it impossible for a retailer to equalize the peaks and valleys in his sales chart.
Meteorology|Charles Fitzhugh Talman
Under the head of retail, is included the transactions of a retailer with his customers, who may be regarded as individuals.
Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, v. 1|Various
The employment of a brewer, and even that of a retailer of fermented liquors, are as necessary division's of labour as any other.
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations|Adam Smith
The mixing takes place after it passes into the hands of the second, third, and it may be the fourth purchaser, or retailer.
The Arctic Whaleman|Lewis Holmes

British Dictionary definitions for retailer

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 Formsretailer, 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

Word Origin and History for retailer (1 of 3)

retailer

mid-15c., agent noun from retail (v.).

Word Origin and History for retailer (1 of 3)

retail

mid-14c. "sell in small quantities or parcels," from Old French retaillier "cut back, cut off, pare, clip, reduce, circumcise," from re- "back" (see re-) + taillier "to cut, trim" (see tailor (n.)). Sometimes also "to deal out (information, etc.) in small quantities; hand down by report; recount, tell over again" (1590s). Related: Retailed; retailing.

Word Origin and History for retailer (2 of 3)

retail

early 15c., "sale of commodities in small quantities or parcels or at second hand" (opposed to wholesale), from Old French retail "piece cut off, shred, scrap, paring" (Modern French retaille), from retaillier (see retail (v.)). The notion of the English word is "a selling by the piece." This sense is not in French, however, and comes perhaps from cognate Italian ritaglio, which does have that sense. As an adjective, "of or pertaining to sale at retail," c.1600.

Culture definitions for retailer

retail

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

retail

noun

adjective

adverb

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of retail

Examples from the Web for retailer

British Dictionary definitions for retailer

retail

noun

adjective

adverb

verb

Word Origin for retail

Word Origin and History for retailer (1 of 3)

retailer

Word Origin and History for retailer (1 of 3)

retail

Word Origin and History for retailer (2 of 3)

retail

Culture definitions for retailer

retail