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

Some of Nvidia's biggest rivals, such as Broadcom, Intel and Advanced Micro Devices, saw their shares advance Thursday following Huang's departure as investors predicted that its customers will look to diversify their suppliers. — ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026

Its pricing system potentially exploited situations where customers had fewer alternatives for getting home. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Nov. 2026

Cook says the company’s leaders are intentional about finding motivated employees who can delight customers and who are eager to take advantage of the many career-building opportunities the company offers to its workforce. — S. Sorrina Beecher, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026

Halal Bros 2 Go in Taylor, Michigan, is receiving hundreds of supportive comments and dozens of new customers after an Islamophobic letter directed at the restaurant was passed out earlier this week. — Heath Kalb, CBS News, 13 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