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.
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
Marisa Meltzer visits with Jean-Claude and Anne-Marie Colban, the siblings who run the business and dress its discerning clientele.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 24 Mar. 2026
Nelson identifies with his clientele.
—Mark Davis, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Their success is reflected through the loyal clientele that the establishment, located in north Phoenix, welcomes day by day.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Cheongdam is the premium tier with a more private, exclusive atmosphere and a clientele that values discretion.
—Jenny Jin, Allure, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clientele
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Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 24 Mar. 2026
Nelson identifies with his clientele.
—Mark Davis, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Their success is reflected through the loyal clientele that the establishment, located in north Phoenix, welcomes day by day.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Cheongdam is the premium tier with a more private, exclusive atmosphere and a clientele that values discretion.
—Jenny Jin, Allure, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clientele
Cite this Entry
“Clientele.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clientele. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clientele
noun
cli·en·tele
ˌklī-ən-ˈtel
: a group of clients
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