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

To me, a vision brings alignment — internally with our staff, and externally with our customers, stakeholders, and partners. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026

That makes Iran the world’s sixth-largest oil producer – an impressive feat, considering Iran faces worldwide sanctions that have severely limited its potential customers. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026

Restaurants that have a smaller 3% charge to cover healthcare might leave customers confused on how to proceed. —Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026

Those massive data centers, needing 30 to 1,000 megawatts of energy, have electricity consumption equivalent to 29,000 to 800,000 residential customers. —Makenzie Huber, States Newsroom, 19 Feb. 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
• 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