retail

1 of 5

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 5

noun (1)

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl 

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

also : the industry of such selling

see also:

at retail

retail

3 of 5

adjective

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl 

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

retail trade

retail

4 of 5

adverb

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl 

: in small quantities : from a retailer

retailer

5 of 5

noun (2)

re·​tail·​er

-lə(r)

plural -s

: one that retails something

a retailer of gossip

specifically : a merchant middleman who sells goods mainly to ultimate consumers

Synonyms of retail

Verb

• sell
• market

Examples of retail in a Sentence

Verb

We retail clothing at the best possible prices.

jewelry that retails from $100

Noun (1)

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

Launched in 1983 and operated by the Omani Sabco Group, the brand is known for its highly concentrated fragrances, which retail for $550 per 100-ml. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 18 June 2026

The Demon Jinu doll, which is available for pre-order on Mattel Creations, retails for $80 and is scheduled to ship on or before June 4, 2027. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Noun

New food vendors and other retail could also boost rent and beneficial foot traffic. — Lena Guerrero Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026

While cultivation remains the largest category, accounting for about 31% of cannabis jobs, future workforce growth is expected to move away from cultivation and toward manufacturing and retail. — Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Adjective

With the rise in demand by retail users, compute providers are also facing significant shortages, raising their prices, and are rushing to develop more hardware. — Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

The rise of retail fandom Move over Swifties, groupies aren’t just for celebrities anymore. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 27 June 2026

Adverb

The company grouped retail into three categories: groceries, softline (such as fashion and beauty), and hardline (such as electronics). — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

Middle English, from retailen to retail + -er

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Rhymes for retail

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email

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