customer

noun

cus·​tom·​er ˈkə-stə-mər 

1

: one that purchases a commodity or service

The customer used a credit card for the purchase.

2

: an individual usually having some specified distinctive trait

a real tough customer

… let me give you the advice of an old and world-weary customer.

—Flannery O'Connor

Synonyms

• client
• patron
• guest

Examples of customer in a Sentence

She is one of our best customers.

She's a pretty cool customer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, Intel will pivot external customers to its newer 14A process, effectively cutting its losses and leaning into a more focused narrative: fewer bets, better execution. —Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025

The chain positioned itself as the high-end option, and sales dipped as customers turned to cheaper alternatives like Luckin. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 2 July 2025

Score savings on summer clothes, patio furniture, small kitchen appliances, headphones, and more must-haves from Apple, Dyson, Kendra Scott, and more customer favorites. —Isabel Garcia, People.com, 1 July 2025

Cox internet customer service Contact Cox customer service or check on a Cox internet outage via phone, text or online chat. —Kara McGinley, USA Today, 1 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English custumer, from custume — see custom entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing customer

• cool customer
• customer base
• paying customer
• regular customer

Kids Definition

customer

noun

cus·​tom·​er ˈkəs-tə-mər 

1

: one that buys a product or service

2

: individual entry 2 sense 2, fellow

he's a real tough customer

Legal Definition

customer

noun

cus·​to·​mer

1

: a person or business that purchases a commodity or service

2

a

: a person or entity having an account with a bank or on whose behalf the bank has agreed to collect items

b

: a person or entity for whom an issuer issues a letter of credit