client
KLY-uhnt
Client (noun) means a person or organisation that pays a professional or firm for services such as legal advice, accountancy, design, consultancy or therapy. Example: “She takes on three new clients a month.”
noun
1
A person or organisation that pays a professional or firm for services such as legal advice, accountancy, design, consultancy or therapy.
"She takes on three new clients a month."
"The agency lost its biggest client to a rival."
"The solicitor spent the whole morning meeting a client who wanted advice about a property dispute."
2
computing In computing, a program or device that connects to a server to request data or services — such as an email client, a web browser or a game client.
"Download the desktop client to sync your files offline."
"The bug only appears on older versions of the client."
"My email client is set to check for new messages every five minutes."
3
social services A person receiving the services of a social worker, care agency or support service.
"Each caseworker supports around thirty clients."
"The support worker visits each client at home to check they are coping."
"Many of our clients have no family nearby, so regular visits mean a lot."
How to use client
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who pays for professional services, or a program that connects to a server.
When to use it
Neutral in every sense. In business it is slightly more formal than customer.
Memory tip
Client-facing means dealing with clients directly. It is hyphenated before a noun: a client-facing role.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
client base
new client
client relationship
client-facing
client-server
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like client.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She takes on three new _____ a month.
Etymology
From Latin cliens, a citizen under the protection of a wealthier patron, related to clinare 'to lean'.
Related words
Rhymes for client
orient
ancient
patient
salient
ambient
lenient
quotient
obedient
nutrient
gradient
sentient
ebullient
See all rhymes for client →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a client and a customer?
A customer buys a product in a discrete transaction; a client buys ongoing professional services and usually has a continuing relationship. You are a customer at a shop and a client of a solicitor. Some businesses use client simply because it sounds more considered.
What does client mean in computing?
It is the half of a client-server pair that makes requests. Your browser is a client asking a web server for a page; a mail app is a client fetching messages from a mail server. A client is software or a device, not a person, in this sense.
Is client the right word in healthcare?
It depends on the setting. Medical care generally uses patient, while therapy, counselling and social care often prefer client to signal an active, voluntary relationship rather than someone being treated. Some UK services use service user instead.
What is the meaning of client?
"client" (noun) means a person or organisation that pays a professional or firm for services such as legal advice, accountancy, design, consultancy or therapy.
