retail
retail Lexical Profile
retail Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relating to or engaged in the sale of goods in small quantities directly to consumers.
"The downtown district has seen a steady increase in new retail stores and boutiques."
• noun
The sale of goods to the public in relatively small quantities for use or consumption rather than for resale.
"She worked in retail for five years before opening her own clothing business."
• verb
To be sold at a specified retail price (of goods).
"The new laptop model retails for just under a thousand dollars."
To sell goods in small quantities directly to the public for use or consumption.
"The company manufactures leather bags and retails them through its own network of shops."
To recount, relate, or repeat a story or piece of information in detail to others.
"He delighted in retailing the latest office gossip to anyone willing to listen."
• adverb
In a retail manner, or at a retail price directly to the consumer.
"It is much more expensive to buy these supplies retail than directly from the distributor."
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 14th century from Old French 'retaillier', meaning 'to cut up' or 'to clip', derived from 're-' (intensive prefix) and 'taillier' (to cut, from Late Latin 'taliare'). The commercial sense developed from the practice of cutting off small pieces of cloth or dividing bulk goods to sell in small quantities directly to customers.