client
B1Formal/Professional; also Technical (computing)
Definition
Meaning
A person or organization that uses the services or advice of a professional (e.g., lawyer, accountant) or purchases goods from a business.
In computing: a computer or software application that requests data or services from a server in a network.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Traditionally distinguished from 'customer' by implying an ongoing, advisory, or contractual relationship (e.g., lawyer's client vs. shop's customer), though this distinction is blurring in modern business usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. The verb form 'to client' is rare and non-standard in both.
Connotations
Slightly more formal/legal/professional connotation in both varieties. In UK business contexts, 'client' is often preferred over 'customer' for B2B (business-to-business) relationships.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both, with identical core usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] + client: advise/represent/retain/serve a clientClient + [Verb]: The client requested/changed/agreed/signed.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Client from hell (informal: a very difficult client)”
- “Client state (politics: a country controlled by another)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to individuals or companies purchasing professional services (e.g., 'Our firm has several major corporate clients.').
Academic
Used in sociology, business studies, and law to denote the recipient of services in a professional relationship.
Everyday
Common when discussing services like hairdressers, banks, or solicitors (e.g., 'I've been a client of that bank for years.').
Technical
In IT: 'The email client on my computer needs updating.' Refers to software/hardware accessing a remote service.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The agency hopes to client several new firms this quarter. (rare/non-standard)
American English
- They tried to client us, but we declined the service. (rare/non-standard)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form)
adjective
British English
- Client-facing staff require excellent communication skills.
American English
- The client-side software needs to be updated. (computing)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My mum is a client at the new hairdresser's.
- The lawyer met his client.
- We need to listen carefully to our client's requirements.
- She has been a loyal client of the bank for decades.
- The consultancy firm managed to retain all its key clients during the recession.
- Your email client should be configured to receive messages from our server.
- The attorney-client privilege ensures confidential communication between a lawyer and their client.
- The thin-client architecture reduces the processing load on individual workstations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A client has to be RELIANT on professional advice (sounds like 'cli-ent').
Conceptual Metaphor
CLIENT IS A DEPENDENT (seeks guidance/support); CLIENT IS A SOURCE (of income/business).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'клиент' in criminal slang (meaning a target/victim). In professional contexts, it translates directly.
- Avoid overtranslating as 'заказчик' (orderer) for service-based relationships; 'клиент' is correct.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'client' for one-time purchasers in retail (prefer 'customer').
- Misspelling as 'cleint' or 'cliant'.
- Incorrect plural: 'client' -> 'clients' (not 'clientes').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'client' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, a 'client' has an ongoing, advisory relationship (lawyer, architect), while a 'customer' makes purchases (shop, restaurant). However, many businesses now use 'client' for all service users to sound more professional.
Rarely and it's considered non-standard jargon ('to client someone' means to make someone a client). Avoid it in formal writing.
In politics, it's a country that is economically, politically, or militarily dependent on a more powerful country.
It's pronounced /ˈklaɪənt/ (KLAI-uhnt) in both British and American English. The 'i' is a long 'i' sound as in 'eye', and the 't' is clearly pronounced.
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