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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
Examples of customer in a Sentence
She is one of our best customers.
She's a pretty cool customer.
Recent Examples on the Web
GlobalData’s Neil Saunders shared with NBC that retailers offered more generous discounts this year compared to last to draw customers in.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
The company said that 90% of the problems reported by customers related to deposits.
—Michelle Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
To be sure, the fall collection expanded the brand’s vocabulary of essentials, trying for the first time to also lure more fashion-savvy customers with slightly oversize fits for tops and pants, as well as glossy puffers.
—Martino Carrera, WWD, 17 Jan. 2025
Policies that feel unnecessarily rigid—such as denying restroom access to paying members—could potentially push customers toward more flexible competitors.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for customer
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Word History
Etymology
Middle English custumer, from custume — see custom entry 1
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of customer was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing customer
Dictionary Entries Near customer
Cite this Entry
“Customer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/customer. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on customer
Nglish: Translation of customer for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of customer for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about customer
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