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 new silhouette launching this week, retailing for 2,680 renminbi, or $400, echoes the original, while piping joins two leather panels to recreate the ridge across the upper. — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2026

The special anniversary set comes in two versions, Day and Night, and retails for about $180. — Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026

Noun

But in between it all, there was still time for a little retail. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026

Asia-Pacific led growth across both segments, with sales up 8% to $192 million, driven by higher sales in China, Southeast Asia, and Asia travel retail. — Ella Graveney, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026

Adjective

The hotel is named after their great grandfather who came to Australia in 1892 and created his own retail empire in Brisbane. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026

There will also be a DJ and food, plus craft and retail vendors. — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 11 Nov. 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