clientele

noun

cli·​en·​tele ˌklī-ən-ˈtel 

ˌklē-ən-

also ˌklē-ˌän-

: a body of clients

a shop that caters to an exclusive clientele

Examples of clientele in a Sentence

… Gottfried had been complaining for months that our local clientele didn't have the class to appreciate the house. —Jane Smiley, Good Faith, 2003

The lunchtime clientele at TJ's was polymorphous as usual, as at District Court, though there was a higher percentage of respectable clients here—local business folk having lunch at one of the last downtown bars that served decent food but wasn't fancy. —Tracy Kidder, Home Town, 1999

The collections shown last month not only had plenty of clothes for the couture clientele to choose from, but, even more importantly, they were loaded with multiple messages for the fashion community at large. —Carrie Donovan, New York Times Magazine, 21 Feb. 1988

According to the State Department in-jokes, this was the most exclusive place in Washington. For its clientele was made up almost entirely of CIA and KGB agents watching one another watching other people. —Erich Segal, The Class, (1985) 1986

The restaurant generally attracts an older clientele.

Recent Examples on the Web

Opened in 2018, Tourists still feels like the cool new kid on the block with the clientele to match. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

This season’s Saint Laurent silicone-lace designs, as well as sheer dresses, tops and skirts from Chanel, and Hermès’s undergarment-revealing pieces are highly requested by her clientele. — Rachael Akhidenor, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026

At least three market professionals, including an adviser with a global clientele, had understood that the sale would begin at the later hour. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Top Speed clientele range from the high school volleyball or soccer player who wants to be at their best for senior year to MLB and NFL prospects preparing for predraft workouts. — Pj Green october 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French clientèle, from Latin clientela, from client-, cliens — see client

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for clientele

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

clientele

noun

cli·​en·​tele ˌklī-ən-ˈtel 

: a group of clients