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

• 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

Jamba Juice Jamba Juice customers can purchase one 16-ounce Mango-A-Go-Go or Strawberry Whirl Smoothie for $1 between 3-6 p.m. local time on Saturday, while supplies last at participating locations. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 22 June 2025

Our customers today have a good fit with the USPs of the product. —James Morris, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

Bass dropped into Far Bar, Kaminari Gyoza Bar and other spots, chatting up the proprietors and posing for photos with customers. —Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2025

This minimizes the financial risks should demand from fleet customers prove intermittent. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 21 June 2025

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
• 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