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

• account
• client
• guest
• patron
• punter [chiefly British]

Examples of customer in a Sentence

She is one of our best customers.

She's a pretty cool customer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Numerous reports have attributed retailers' changes to theft, with customers ringing up items under ID codes for similar but less-expensive ones or simply failing to scan all the items in their carts. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2024

The sale allows customers to save on the beauty chain's wide range of products, including skin care, hair care and makeup. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024

Comcast also grappled with headwinds at its theme parks, which saw a decline of 5.3% in revenue as the company said customers opted to put their travel dollars into overseas trips as well as cruises. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024

Something more specific that really speaks to why customers choose ABB. —Sairah Ashman, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

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