customer
gb/kˈʌstəmɚ/ us/kˈʌstəmɚ/
A2
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
person buying goods or services
A person who buys something from a shop or uses a service.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a customer of [a business]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'customer' with 'client'. Use 'customer' for shops and general sales, and 'client' for professional services.
Synonyms
client (Often used for professional services, such as legal or consulting, rather than retail.)
Antonyms
seller (A person or business that sells goods or services instead of buying them.)
Collocations
regular customer
|loyal customer
|potential customer
|customer service
|customer satisfaction
Themes
business
|daily life
|commerce
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The store offers discounts to regular customers.
- She has been a loyal customer of the café for years.
- The company is focused on improving customer satisfaction.
- We need to attract more potential customers to our website.
- Each customer receives a receipt after payment.
Learner examples
- I am a customer at this shop.
- The customer is happy with the food.
- Many customers come to the store every day.
- That man is a customer in the bank.
- The shop has many new customers.
Grammar
Dictionary form
customer
IPA
GB/kˈʌstəmɚ/
US/kˈʌstəmɚ/
Syllables & stress
cus - tom - er (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cus)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: customer
- Plural: customers
Word family
Forms
customers
noun
Core family
customize
verb B1
customized
adjective
Related words
custom
noun B1
customization
noun B2
Advanced or less common
customary
adjective B2
customarily
adverb
Expressions
potential customer
1/pətˈɛnʃəl kˈʌstəmɚ/
fixed phrase
possible future buyer
A person who might buy something from a business in the future.
Examples
- They sent emails to potential customers about the new product.
- We need to reach more potential customers through advertising.
customer satisfaction
1/kˈʌstəmɚ sˌætɪsfˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
how pleased customers are
How happy people are with what they buy or the service they get.
Examples
- Customer satisfaction is our top priority.
- The survey showed high levels of customer satisfaction.
- The survey measures customer satisfaction after each purchase.
customer service
1/kˈʌstəmɚ sˈɚvɪs/
fixed phrase
help given to customers
Help and advice given by a company to people who buy or use its products or services.
Examples
- Good customer service can make people return to your store.
- Good customer service can make a big difference to a business.
- I called customer service to fix my internet problem.
- The company has a 24-hour customer service hotline.
loyal customer
1/lˈɔɪəl kˈʌstəmɚ/
fixed phrase
Regular repeat buyer
A person who often buys from the same store or company.
Examples
- Loyal customers are rewarded with points they can spend later.
- Our loyal customers receive a special discount every year.
- The store values its loyal customers.
- Loyal customers are the backbone of our business.
regular customer
1/ɹˈɛɡjəlɚ kˈʌstəmɚ/
fixed phrase
Customer who visits often
A person who buys from the same shop often.
Examples
- He is a regular customer at the coffee shop down the street.
- She’s a regular customer at the bookstore.
- Regular customers get special discounts here.
- Regular customers get special discounts.