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 brushes retail for $198, and 100 percent of proceeds of each sale go toward research funded by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

While on tour last year, her drummer’s wife had lent Day her Dyson Airwrap, the six-in-one hairstyling tool that retails for a hefty $650. — Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026

Noun

The wording seemed to suggest that the sneakers, after years of various teasers, would finally arrive at retail. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2026

The data from late 2025 and early 2026 points to a market that is no longer debating whether AI belongs in retail, but who gets to set the terms. — Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Condon said a price hasn’t been set, but a real estate expert familiar with the property but not authorized to speak about it publicly said the office and retail portion is worth about $160 million. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

On Tuesday night, Castle Rock Town Council voted 6-1 to approve an ordinance banning the retail sale of kratom. — Olivia Young, CBS News, 7 Oct. 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