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

That was likely the reason for a long line of customers queuing up to test drive, pick up, or purchase the new Y. —Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025

Now Monahan and roughly 15 million other customers are worried about their valuable and private genetic information after 23andMe declared bankruptcy. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025

Although the cumulative number of customers has increased over the years, the growth has started to lag — and new subscriptions haven’t kept pace. —Rosa De Acosta, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025

Bonus bets Here's the harsh reality: the biggest losers are some of the sportsbooks' best customers. —Ted Koppel, CBS News, 30 Mar. 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