customer

noun

cus·​tom·​er ˈkə-stə-mər 

1

: one that purchases a commodity or service

The customer used a credit card for the purchase.

2

: an individual usually having some specified distinctive trait

a real tough customer

… let me give you the advice of an old and world-weary customer.

—Flannery O'Connor

Synonyms of customer

• client
• patron
• guest

Examples of customer in a Sentence

She is one of our best customers.

She's a pretty cool customer.

Recent Examples on the Web

These capabilities could serve commercial satellite operators and government customers. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026

That gave the company confidence that a GS3 based on composite tanks was a concept that could go forward, and now the company is aiming for a debut in 2028 for a government customer. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026

The brokerage said South Korea could emerge as a key market for additional capacity in Asia, with operators that secure power, land and long-term customer contracts better positioned to expand. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026

There is tension in any business where customers want better value, franchisees want healthier returns, and shareholders want faster growth. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English custumer, from custume — see custom entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing customer

• cool customer
• customer base
• customer service
• paying customer
• regular customer

Kids Definition

customer

noun

cus·​tom·​er ˈkəs-tə-mər 

1

: one that buys a product or service

2

: individual entry 2 sense 2, fellow

he's a real tough customer

Legal Definition

customer

noun

cus·​to·​mer

1

: a person or business that purchases a commodity or service

2

a

: a person or entity having an account with a bank or on whose behalf the bank has agreed to collect items

b

: a person or entity for whom an issuer issues a letter of credit