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 $210-$310. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 12 Dec. 2025

The syrupy shoe style retails for $195, Denny's shared, and will be available in adult sizes 8-13. —Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025

Noun

The plan aimed to redevelop the land into new affordable housing, seniors homes, retail, restaurants and entertainment spaces. —Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025

The Rim Anchored by the Palladium, a popular Santikos movie theater, the sprawling complex blends retail, dining, and entertainment with local flair. —Kat Stinson, Travel + Leisure, 11 Dec. 2025

Adjective

Inspectors, who check all grocers, food storage, food processing facilities, retail and wholesale bakeries don’t have shutdown power but can drop Stop Use Orders on equipment and areas. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 13 Dec. 2025

The company is seemingly moving to centralize decision-making that had long been decentralized under Buffett, adding a general counsel role and creating a president overseeing consumer, service and retail businesses. —Yun Li, CNBC, 13 Dec. 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

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