retail

1 of 5

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 5

noun (1)

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 5

adjective

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl 

: of, relating to, or engaged in the sale of commodities at retail

retail trade

retail

4 of 5

adverb

re·​tail ˈrē-ˌtāl 

: in small quantities : from a retailer

retailer

5 of 5

noun (2)

re·​tail·​er

-lə(r)

plural -s

: one that retails something

a retailer of gossip

specifically : a merchant middleman who sells goods mainly to ultimate consumers

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 (1)

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

Made to be refilled, the scent comes in the three formats of 35-, 50- and 100-ml, retailing at $110, $150 and $180, respectively. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

The kit retails for $70 and includes everything students need to make ramen in their dorm room, according to Dash's website. — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Noun

As Gardner continues to grow in size, Andrea Brammell wants to see more activities, retail and recreation come into town to support its residents. — Taylor O'Connor 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026

For artists with strong enough fandom, imagery, and mythology, there are all kinds of opportunities sitting somewhere between concerts, museums, retail, and fan experiences. — Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 28 Aug. 2026

Adjective

As illustrated in this chart, following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict in late February, both WTI crude oil prices and US retail gas prices surged in tandem. — CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Both the private-label line and the wider retail assortment were initially available in 150 Old Navy stores in a grab-and-go concept, with 45 of those stores also featuring dedicated beauty shops-in-shop as part of the pilot. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French retaille cutting, deduction, retail, from retailler to cut out, from re- + tailler to cut — more at tailor

Noun (2)

Middle English, from retailen to retail + -er

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

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