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

• 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 bracelets were sold exclusively at H-E-B stores in Texas from September through October 2025, retailing for about $1 per pack. —Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

Dressed by her longtime stylist Brad Goreski, the actress wore the footwear brand’s cognac suede leather pumps, which retail for $745. —Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025

Noun

Monroe’s expertise extends beyond entertainment, too, with clients across various industries, including financial services, private equity and venture capital, fashion and retail, ad-tech and other technology businesses. —Angelique Jackson, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025

Additional retail, dining and entertainment spaces are also planned during this phase, with spaces ranging in size from 1,000 square feet to 59,800 square feet and including some rooftop spaces. —Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025

Adjective

However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. —Katie Ann Lehman, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2025

Consumer stress, rising delinquencies, and tariff pass-throughs will all collide with a fragile labor market and weaker retail landscape. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 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