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

Animated drawings of blue sardines are found on both the patches and the product case, which retails for $25. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026

Forbes ranked the HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket, which retails for $699, as its best overall pick, citing far-infrared heating elements combined with charcoal, clay, medical-grade magnets and crystals. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026

Noun

Others balked at the shortage of information being provided, and warned that the public should get specifics about any retail expected for the property. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

According to Maurice, 55 percent of Still Here’s direct-to-consumer business currently comes from e-commerce and 45 percent from retail. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Data from Adobe cross-validates this trend, showing that US retail site traffic driven by AI channels jumped 125% year-on-year between April and June 2026, after soaring 693% year-on-year during the 2025 holiday season. — CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

Five French labels, including Baziszt, Coltesse, Egonlab, Ludovic de Saint Sernin and Mii Collection, will participate in exhibitions, market visits, and exchanges to help the brands better understand China’s retail and consumer ecosystem. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 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