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 chic shoes retail online for $995. —Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 10 Apr. 2026

Weekend one tickets originally retailed for $649). —Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Noun

The Franco Oakes Mary-Janes retail for $130, but are currently on sale for $95. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2026

Super Studios filed paperwork to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Tuesday to begin work on building the film studio, which will include sound stages, production offices, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, retail, hotels and apartments. —Samuel O’Neal April 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Four of Switzerland's 450-odd watch brands — Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philippe and Omega — make up over half the total Swiss retail market share, the report said. —ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026

Founded in Miami in 2018, Jason Hyde has grown from a small retail store to locations in Aventura, Dadeland, on cruise ships and now, Brickell City Centre. —Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 14 Apr. 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