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

In the long run, whether companies fail or prevail will hinge on some timeless strategies, chief among them talking with and listening to customers. —Greg Petro, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024

Catering to customers who are more focused on decorations and experiences than gifts. —Melissa Repko, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2024

Those sentiments are echoed in online customer reviews. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2024

Two decades later, voters created Judicial Performance Review, including a bipartisan commission that assesses what are essentially peer and customer reviews of justices. —Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 18 Oct. 2024

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