retail

1 of 4

verb

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl 

 especially for sense 2 also  ri-ˈtāl

retailed; retailing; retails

transitive verb

1

: to sell in small quantities directly to the ultimate consumer

2

: tell, retell

intransitive verb

: to sell at retail

retailer noun

retail

2 of 4

noun

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl 

: the sale of commodities or goods in small quantities to ultimate consumers

also : the industry of such selling

retail

3 of 4

adjective

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl 

: of, relating to, or engaged in the sale of commodities at retail

retail trade

retail

4 of 4

adverb

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl 

: in small quantities : from a retailer

Phrases

at retail

1

: at a retailer's price

2

: retail entry 4

Synonyms

Verb

• deal (in)
• market
• merchandise
• merchandize
• put up
• sell
• vend

Examples of retail in a Sentence

Verb

We retail clothing at the best possible prices.

jewelry that retails from $100

Noun

She has a job in retail.

Adjective

Is that price retail or wholesale?

Adverb

You usually have to pay more if you buy something retail than if you buy it wholesale.

The product sells retail for about $100.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Loewe Inicio can also be made to order and retail at £4,999 / €4.000 per pair. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

Both styles retail for $120 and were just restocked at Aritzia. —Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 15 May 2025

Noun

At a time when fashion retail has shifted online due to the pandemic, an in-person thrifting event has been warmly received by the community. —Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025

But in recent years, Sears closed most of its mall stores, including Aventura’s in North Miami-Dade, which was demolished in 2017 and converted into the Esplanade Aventura open-air retail, dining and entertainment village. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025

Adjective

In the 12 months to March 29, comparable retail sales slid 12 percent, but the trend has been improving. —Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 20 May 2025

According to signs posted on the doors of the Festival Marketplace, vendors are migrating to the Lauderhill Mall, part of broad portfolio of retail properties owned by IMC Equity in South Florida and elsewhere in the state. —David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French retaille cutting, deduction, retail, from retailler to cut out, from re- + tailler to cut — more at tailor

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1601, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1784, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing retail

• at retail
• retail park
• the retail price index

Rhymes for retail

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email

Kids Definition

retail

1 of 4 verb

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl 

: to sell in small amounts to people for their own use

retailer noun

retail

2 of 4 noun

: the sale of products or goods in small quantities to people for their own use

retail

3 of 4 adjective

: of, relating to, or engaged in selling by retail

retail stores

retail

4 of 4 adverb

: in small quantities : from a retailer