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

Despite that market positioning, The New York Post seized on the boots, which retail for $630, as a sign of hypocrisy. —Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026

The timepiece, which retails for 8,400 euros, was conceived with optimal legibility in mind and its dial features a three-day date indicator, nodding to its 70-hour power reserve. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 2 Jan. 2026

Noun

Under his tenure, On’s global brand expansion, retail and DTC scaling nearly quadrupled, according to internal financial data. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 2 Jan. 2026

Its picks spanned nine industries, including retail, energy and shipping. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Violations could result in suspension of their retail license or revocation or their TABC license -- which would also prohibit them from serving alcohol. —Karen Brooks Harper The Dallas Morning News, Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025

The third season distinguished itself by adopting an era-appropriate mall as its main setting—a novelty only partially eclipsed by the heaps of product placement a retail environment enabled. —Judy Berman, Time, 26 Dec. 2025

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