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

Showing love for one of her favorite designers, Rodriguez popped into a pair of sleek black Gucci Donna pumps, currently retailing for $1,220 on the brand’s website. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026

The drop earrings retail for $149,000, according to the website. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026

Noun

Its customers span industries including banking, hospitality, retail, transportation and entertainment. — Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Beauty veteran Carisa Janes is bringing her newest brainchildren to physical retail. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026

Adjective

This 37% price cut gives backpackers, beachgoers, and closet rock stars an opportunity to capture surprisingly rich bass and all-weather resilience without paying standard retail prices. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026

Under his plan, unveiled Thursday, the company will double its retail footprint over the next two years, part of an ambitious effort to displace the grocery store as people’s first choice for beef. — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 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