customer
/ˈkʌs.tə.mə/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A customer is a person who buys goods or services from a shop, company, or person. In business, it can also mean someone who regularly uses a service.
- The shop has many customers on weekends.
- She is a regular customer at the café.
- We value every customer.
Adinary Nuance
A customer is the buyer or user in a business relationship. It is broader than buyer, which focuses on the act of buying, and more neutral than client, which often sounds more formal or professional. In everyday English, customer is the most common word in shops, restaurants, and online sales.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- khách hàng
- Spanish
- cliente
- Chinese
- 顾客
- Japanese
- 顧客
- Korean
- 고객
Etymology
Customer came into English in the 1400s from Old French custumeur, meaning someone who buys or uses something regularly. It is linked to the idea of custom, or habitual use.
Common phrases
customer servicecustomer supportloyal customercustomer satisfaction
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a customer and a client?
- A customer usually buys from a shop or business. A client often gets professional services, like legal or design help.
- Is customer a formal word?
- Customer is neutral and common. It works well in business, everyday speech, and writing.
- Can I use customer for online shopping?
- Yes. People who buy from websites are customers too.
- What is the adjective form of customer?
- The usual adjective is customer-related or customer-focused.