retail

1 of 4

verb

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl 

 especially for sense 2 also  ri-ˈtāl

retailed; retailing; retails

transitive verb

1

: to sell in small quantities directly to the ultimate consumer

2

: tell, retell

intransitive verb

: to sell at retail

retailer noun

retail

2 of 4

noun

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl 

: the sale of commodities or goods in small quantities to ultimate consumers

also : the industry of such selling

retail

3 of 4

adjective

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl 

: of, relating to, or engaged in the sale of commodities at retail

retail trade

retail

4 of 4

adverb

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl 

: in small quantities : from a retailer

Phrases

at retail

1

: at a retailer's price

2

: retail entry 4

Synonyms

Verb

• deal (in)
• market
• merchandise
• merchandize
• put up
• sell
• vend

Examples of retail in a Sentence

Verb

We retail clothing at the best possible prices.

jewelry that retails from $100

Noun

She has a job in retail.

Adjective

Is that price retail or wholesale?

Adverb

You usually have to pay more if you buy something retail than if you buy it wholesale.

The product sells retail for about $100.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The conversation over dinner turned into a six-piece collection that retails from 685 euros to 1,250 euros. —Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 15 Oct. 2024

The average bridal gown retailed for $2,000 in 2023, according to the Knot. —Allison Morrow, CNN, 11 Oct. 2024

Noun

Passionate about retail, Touhami is careful not to call it a concept store. —Rhonda Richford, WWD, 21 Oct. 2024

About two-thirds of revenue is generated at retail, with the remaining one-third from e-commerce. —Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Like the Power Promise program Ford recently announced for retail customers to get a free charging installation at home, Pro customers are getting $2,000 toward charging. —Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

Big picture Costco has been a retail winner over the past couple years as Americans navigated an inflationary period that led them to be cost-conscious and more selective on their spending across categories. —Paulina Likos, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French retaille cutting, deduction, retail, from retailler to cut out, from re- + tailler to cut — more at tailor

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1601, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1784, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing retail

• at retail
• retail park
• the retail price index

Kids Definition

retail

1 of 4 verb

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl 

: to sell in small amounts to people for their own use

retailer noun

retail

2 of 4 noun

: the sale of products or goods in small quantities to people for their own use

retail

3 of 4 adjective

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

retail stores

retail

4 of 4 adverb

: in small quantities : from a retailer