customer

[kuhs-tuh-mer]

noun

1. a person who purchases goods or services from another; buyer; patron.

2. Informal.,  a person one has to deal with.

   a tough customer; a cool customer.

customer

/ ˈkʌstəmə /

noun

1. a person who buys

2. informal,  a person with whom one has dealings

   a cool customer

Word History and Origins

Origin of customer¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; custom + -er ¹; compare Middle English customer “collector of customs,” from Anglo-French; Old French costumier, cognate with Medieval Latin custumārius; customary

Idioms and Phrases

see ugly customer.

Example Sentences

The world’s largest retailer announced it was partnering with OpenAI to allow customers to buy its products through ChatGPT using Instant Checkout.

Read more on Barron's

For Medicare Advantage customers, the extra insurance needed is coverage for hospital indemnity or specific major illnesses like cancer, so people don’t face high copays if they get sick.

Read more on MarketWatch

To be sure, the fierce competition from the constant churn of new hot products and more affordable options from China and elsewhere makes it harder to stand out, succeed and retain customers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Earlier this year, retailer Co-op was hit by a hack where the details of all of its roughly 6.5m customers was stolen.

Read more on BBC

However, in a move to protect customers and the retro shirt industry, it's now common practice for reputable sellers to destroy any counterfeit products they come across.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• client 
• consumer 
• patron 
• purchaser www.thesaurus.com