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 watch retails for $570, reflective of the price of gold on July 21, 1969, and not of today’s gold price, Swatch said, adding 11 grams of 18K gold cost $11 in 1969. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 17 July 2026

From Christian Louboutin, the Rosalie Jewel sandal retails for $1,545. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 16 July 2026

Noun

In addition to the micro-hospital, the preliminary plat would allow for two more lots — one intended for open space or storm-drain facilities and the other possibly for a future retail or restaurant development, the letter said. — Rose Evans july 24, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2026

The Ryder Cup is building on its existing online payments partnership with Stripe for tickets, food and beverage, merchandise and retail. — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 24 July 2026

Adjective

That’s the conclusion of new data from Generation Research, a specialist company that tracks the duty-free and travel retail market. — Kapila Ireland, Vogue, 24 July 2026

Habibi Lebanon Bar & Grill experienced a $20,000 drop in business in April alone, executive chef/owner Nazira Atme told the Observer at her restaurant in the South Main Square retail center in May. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 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