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

Through these acquisitions, Shein absorbs customer data, product preference data as well as geographic preference and pricing sensitivity data, all extremely valuable to feed the Shein production machine and develop designs for a range of audiences. —Clara Ludmir, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

Swatch took to Instagram on Sunday to ask customers not to rush stores, adding that the collection will remain available for several months. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 May 2026

Still going strong with customers are the KBBQ Steak bowls and plates — accompanied by cucumber kimchi, spicy broccoli and apple kimchi sauce — and two of the restaurant’s longtime bestsellers, the Caramelized Steak and Miso Salmon plates. —Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 18 May 2026

The customer then places an order, and the team in Spain coordinates with the group’s manufacturing facilities to bring these looks to life, starting with sending design assets and tech packs. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 18 May 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