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

The company plans to test a reactor design and custom fuel similar to those intended for commercial customers. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

Anthropic became SpaceX’s biggest customer, accounting for a third of sales last quarter, underscoring the intense concentration of the tech market. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Some affected customers have received immediate exchanges at Apple Stores. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Likewise, bags are about the practical needs of a customer who might carry a tote for a computer during the day and keep a clutch inside for evening. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 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