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

Each of the bodysuits retail for $39.99 in the U.S. and Canada, and range in size from adult small to XL. —Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 6 Sep. 2024

The top sub-sectors were retailing, consumer durables, and semiconductors, while technical hardware, banks, and utilities were the worst. —Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024

Noun

In introducing the new lineup, Nick Wolfe, the vice president of hospitality and retail for the 49ers and Levi’s Stadium. —Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2024

Collaborate across the supply chain to ensure responsible antibiotic use from production to retail. —Jeremy Coller, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024

Adjective

However, a 2024 survey found that although half of U.S. adults expect AI to have a bigger role in the retail industry, only one-third of B2C organizations have fully integrated AI into their e-commerce operations. —Rhett Power, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2024

The thinking was that indies couldn’t compete with the endless merchandise and full runway collections available at retail Goliaths such as Barneys New York and Neiman Marcus. —Christina Binkley, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 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