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

• account
• client
• guest
• patron
• punter [chiefly British]

Examples of customer in a Sentence

She is one of our best customers.

She's a pretty cool customer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Levchin talks about helping customers spend less, not more. —Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 22 Feb. 2025

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. —Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025

Track Competitor Marketing Strategies Observe how competitors acquire customers. —Abdo Riani, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025

The team’s responsibilities still include taking orders from vendors, marketing and customer service. —Shanzeh Ahmad, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English custumer, from custume — see custom entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing customer

• cool customer
• customer base
• paying customer
• regular customer

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