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

see also:

at retail

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

Synonyms of retail

Verb

• sell
• market

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 collection retails for $498-$658 and is available on Aligrace’s website. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026

Her go-to sneakers, a white canvas pair from Superga that retails for less than $100 and has been spotted on stars like Julia Roberts, Lana del Ray, and Hailey Bieber. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 10 Aug. 2026

Noun

The survey revealed that when parents evaluate family-friendly retail and experiences, fun and enjoyment (68 percent) and spending time together (66 percent) ranked higher than price and affordability (60 percent). — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026

That is particularly valuable across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, where travel retail remains an important shop window for premium international brands. — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Costs had been on the decline since March 2025, following a massive outbreak of bird flu that disrupted the egg supply and sent retail prices soaring. — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Two other teens were cited for careless driving and performing risky stunts in a retail parking lot. — Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

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

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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