consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər 

often attributive

: one that consumes: such as

a

: one that utilizes economic goods

Many consumers shop online.

b

: an organism requiring complex organic compounds for food which it obtains by preying on other organisms or by eating particles of organic matter compare producer sense 3

consumership

kən-ˈsü-mər-ˌship 

noun

Examples of consumer in a Sentence

Many consumers are still not comfortable making purchases on the Internet.

Recent Examples on the Web

The practice is anti-competitive and hurts consumers, antitrust experts say. — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Those consumers are the ones who are far more likely to make plans a few months in advance for the group stage, but not a few days in advance for the single-elimination contests. — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

The company did not, however, discuss how the recovered capital would impact its consumer base. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 30 June 2026

Simplifying the Transfer Experience That experience is beginning to look much more like the rest of consumer finance. — Felysha Walker, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

see consume

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing consumer

• anti-consumer
• consumer confidence
• consumer credit
• consumer debt
• consumer durables
• consumer goods
• consumer price index

Rhymes for consumer

• perfumer
• antitumor
• pseudotumor
• boomer
• humor
• humour
• plumer
• rumor
• rumour
• tumor
• tumour

Kids Definition

consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər 

1

: one that consumes

especially : a person who buys and uses up goods

2

: a plant or animal that requires complex organic compounds for food which it obtains by preying on other living things or eating particles of organic matter compare producer sense 3

Legal Definition

consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er

: one that utilizes economic goods

specifically : an individual who purchases goods for personal use as distinguished from commercial use