customer

noun

cus·​tom·​er ˈkə-stə-mər How to pronounce customer (audio)
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

Examples of customer in a Sentence

She is one of our best customers. She's a pretty cool customer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 

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

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 How to pronounce customer (audio)
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

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