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

Limited to 150, the watch retails for $120,500. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 23 May 2026

Some of the gold bangles worn by Hadid in Cannes include a three-piece bangle set from Luv AJ, which retails for under $200. —Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 22 May 2026

Noun

The first apparel collection under Derek Lam 10 Crosby will be introduced at retail in 2027. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 May 2026

The slowdown is raising concerns on Wall Street that higher gasoline prices may be pressuring discretionary spending, especially in convenience retail. —Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 13 May 2026

Adjective

And because there are no clear rules requiring that savings be passed directly to patients, large hospital systems take advantage of this ambiguity by billing low-income patients the full retail price, then pocketing the difference to maximize their bottom line. —Al Sharpton, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026

The same institutions that pool retail capital also hold significant voting stakes across competing companies in the same industries. —Ivan Kan, Forbes.com, 22 May 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