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

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

Phrases

at retail

1

: at a retailer's price

2

: retail entry 4

Synonyms

Verb

• deal (in)
• market
• merchandise
• merchandize
• put up
• sell
• vend

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

Readers of Robb Report are well aware that there are many ultra-aged single malt whiskies that hit the market commanding prices in the five-figure range like the $53,000 Balvenie 50 above or Macallan’s the Reach, which retailed for $125,000. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2024

The cleanser, which retails for $32 on sonsieskin.com, is formulated with ginger root extract and natural bisabolol, which reduces inflammation, Multi Soothing Complex for hydration, and rose essence from Anderson’s garden, among the key ingredients. —Charlie Carballo, WWD, 29 Oct. 2024

Noun

The products come in compostable packaging and retail anywhere from $5 to $42, according to the company’s website. —Natalie Wu, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024

Andrea Wasserman covers physical and digital retail, customer experience, and marketing. —Andrea Wasserman, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Adjective

The company continues to negotiate the renewal of its retail license with the Cayman Islands government, which could significantly impact future revenue and cash flows. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024

Áine Cain, a former senior retail reporter at Insider, and Kevin Greenlee, an attorney, wanted to bring their professional roles to the podcast. —Aja Romano, Vox, 11 Nov. 2024

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

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

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