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

Basketball legend Michael Jordan celebrated his 23XI Racing team’s fourth NASCAR win while wearing a gorgeous, limited-edition Greubel Forsey that retails for a hefty $500,000. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2026

While the inside of the theater is a glamorous, bespoke representation of Hollywood in all its glory, the theater sits inside a shopping complex that includes retails stores like Sephora and Lids, a jarring contrast from the black tie-ness of the Oscars. —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026

Noun

Following delivery of the stadium and initial retail and entertainment offerings in 2026, additional retail, hotel and commercial development will continue through 2030. —Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026

KitKat fans need not be concerned about the incident affecting KitKat supplies at retail. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026

Adjective

The new rules also significantly raise annual licensing costs for hemp businesses, increasing manufacturer fees from just over $250 to $10,000, and retail registrations from $155 to $5,000. —Erin Jones, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026

Rachel Barber The national average retail price of a gallon of gasoline surpassed $4 for the first time in more than three years, as the Iran war continues to drive oil costs up and raise prices at the pump. —Michael Loria, USA Today, 31 Mar. 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