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

The company, which bought and opened its eighth Tennessee taproom this year, also spent $50,000 on a large centrifuge that retailed for around $750,000. —Joshua M. Bernstein, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024

After retailing vintage, Ban started her own business in 2011 and racked up celebrity clients like Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Madonna and Nicki Minaj. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 22 Jan. 2025

Noun

And in retail, Deckers Outdoor shares dropped after providing softer-than-expected guidance. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2025

The chain's pay is among the highest in retail, which has helped Costco maintain a lower turnover rate than most rivals. —Alina Selyukh, NPR, 31 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Packaged in clear plastic, the dog food was sold in retail stores. —Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 1 Feb. 2025

What To Know The raw dog food product was distributed between January 3 and 24 in retail stores in eight states: Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Tennessee and Rhode Island. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025

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