retail

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

See synonyms for: retail retailing 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.

Origin of retail

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” (see tail²); (for the verb) Middle English retailen, from Old French retailler

Other words from retail

re·tail·er, noun
non·re·tail, adjective
non·re·tail·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use retail in a sentence

The giant retailer is realizing its dream of getting into the banking business, which should terrify populists of all stripes.
The People Vs. the Bank of Walmart | James Poulos | October 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
J. Crew is the only mass retailer that shows at NYFW and Jenna Lyons may as well be the main reason why.
It's Who You Know: The Power Players of New York Fashion Week | Barbara Ragghianti | September 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
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 | THE DAILY BEAST
Affordable retailer Forever 21, for example, fired the 28-year-old model mid-way through her photo shoot.
World Cup Fan Axelle Despiegelaere Already Dropped From L’Oreal; Forever 21 Fired Chrissy Teigan For Being "Fat" | The Fashion Beast Team | July 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The online retailer is asking all eBay users to change their passwords immediately.
EVERY eBay Account Holder Worldwide Has Been Hacked, Company Says | Tom Sykes | May 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

The patient, in turn, expressed her opinion of the product to the retailer from whom she had been purchasing it.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2 | Various
At this juncture a public-spirited retailer of Boston, Mr. Lincoln Filene, entered the controversy.
Making Both Ends Meet | Sue Ainslie Clark and Edith Wyatt
All this activity, however, is concerned with the retailer; in the meantime manufacture was not neglected.
Consumers and Wage-Earners | J. Elliot Ross
These boards secure from wholesale representatives the prices charged to the retailer for various staple foods.
Harper's Pictorial Library of the World War, Volume XII | Various
Every week new price lists are prepared so as to cover new fluctuations of cost to the retailer.
Harper's Pictorial Library of the World War, Volume XII | Various

British Dictionary definitions for retail

retail

/ (ˈriːteɪl) /

noun

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

adjective

of, relating to, or engaged in such selling: retail 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

Origin of retail

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

Derived forms of retail

retailer, noun

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 retail

retail

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

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