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

• account
• client
• guest
• patron
• punter [chiefly British]

Examples of customer in a Sentence

She is one of our best customers.

She's a pretty cool customer.

Recent Examples on the Web

And Sarah wouldn't waste time finding new customers—Tom would send them to her. —B.d. Dalton, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Xfinity Mobile has launched a new Premium Unlimited plan, bringing gigabit speeds and features for customers, including in Connecticut, according to the company. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 23 Apr. 2025

The current DraftKings promo code offer allows new customers to redeem bonus bets for the playoffs. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025

Conversely, cable companies have collectively lost over 1 million internet customers and 8.7 million cable customers in the past three years. —Russell Leung,lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 23 Apr. 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