customer
C1Neutral to formal. Common in business and commerce contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A person or organisation that buys goods or services from a shop or business.
A person or entity with whom one has dealings, often implying an ongoing relationship. In computing, a client of a service.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes a buyer in a commercial transaction. Implies repeated or potential patronage, distinguishing it from a one-time 'buyer' or 'client' which can be used for professional services.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Client' is more common in BE for professional services (e.g., solicitor), while AE may use 'customer' more broadly. The term 'patron' is more formal and used for arts/restaurants in both.
Connotations
In both: neutral/commercial. Slightly impersonal compared to 'client'. Can imply 'always right' in service contexts.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both, with near-equal use.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
customer of [business]customer for [product/service]customer at [location]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The customer is always right.”
- “Customer of choice”
- “A tough customer”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Central term in marketing, sales, and service. E.g., 'Our customer retention rate improved.'
Academic
Used in economics, business studies, sociology. E.g., 'The study analysed customer behaviour models.'
Everyday
Common in retail and service interactions. E.g., 'I was helping a customer find a size.'
Technical
In IT: 'end-user' or 'client'; in law: 'client'. 'Customer' used in SaaS (Software as a Service) contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- 'To customer' is not a standard verb. Use 'to serve a customer' or 'to acquire customers'.
American English
- 'To customer' is not a standard verb. Use 'to onboard a customer'.
adverb
British English
- Not derived. Use 'in a customer-friendly manner'.
American English
- Not derived. Use 'from a customer perspective'.
adjective
British English
- customer-facing roles
- customer-centric approach
American English
- customer-focused team
- customer-satisfaction survey
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The shop assistant helped the customer.
- She is a good customer at our café.
- The company values feedback from its customers.
- We aim to resolve every customer complaint quickly.
- Despite the initial issue, the customer remained loyal due to the excellent after-sales service.
- Our marketing strategy targets a specific customer demographic.
- The software's scalability was a key factor in securing enterprise-level customers.
- A nuanced understanding of the customer journey is essential for optimising conversion rates.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CUSTomer: Think of CUSTody - someone in your care. A business has a duty of care to its customers.
Conceptual Metaphor
CUSTOMER IS A GUEST (welcomed, served), CUSTOMER IS KING (sovereign, to be pleased).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'клиент' which is closer to 'client'. 'Покупатель' is a closer direct equivalent for a retail buyer.
- Avoid using 'заказчик' which implies 'orderer' or 'contractor'.
- Do not translate as 'потребитель' (consumer) which is more abstract/economic.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I am customer of this bank.' Correct: 'I am a customer of this bank.' (article needed)
- Incorrect plural spelling: 'costumers' (means makers of costumes).
Practice
Quiz
Which word is LEAST appropriate as a synonym for 'customer' in a high-end law firm context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Customer' typically implies a transactional relationship, often in retail. 'Client' suggests a longer-term, advisory, or professional service relationship (e.g., lawyer, architect).
It is a countable noun. You have customers, a customer, or a customer base.
Yes, especially in B2B (business-to-business) contexts. For example, 'Microsoft is a major customer of our cybersecurity firm.'
The standard singular possessive is 'customer's' (e.g., the customer's order). The plural possessive is 'customers'' (e.g., the customers' reviews).
Collections
Part of a collection
Shopping
A2 · 50 words · Vocabulary for buying and selling goods.
Work and Jobs
A2 · 49 words · Jobs, professions and the world of work.
Business Vocabulary
B1 · 50 words · Fundamental language of commerce and trade.