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noun Uncommon

clientele

kleye-uhn-TEHL

Clientele (noun) means the customers or clients of a business, especially considered as a group with shared habits or tastes. Example: “The restaurant built up a loyal clientele over the years.”

noun
1
The customers or clients of a business, especially considered as a group with shared habits or tastes.
"The restaurant built up a loyal clientele over the years."
"The boutique caters to an upscale clientele."

How to Use Clientele

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA collective term for a business's customers, viewed as a group.

Common pairings
loyal clientele attract a clientele upscale clientele

Word Forms

clienteles plural

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The restaurant built up a loyal _____ over the years.

Etymology

Borrowed from French clientèle, ultimately from Latin cliens, "client."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for clientele

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “clientele” mean?

The word “clientele” means the customers or clients of a business, especially considered as a group with shared habits or tastes. In plain terms, a collective term for a business's customers, viewed as a group.

How do you pronounce “clientele”?

“Clientele” is pronounced kleye-uhn-TEHL (/ˌklaɪ.ənˈtɛl/ in IPA).

How do you use “clientele” in a sentence?

Here is “clientele” used in a sentence: “The restaurant built up a loyal clientele over the years.”

What part of speech is “clientele”?

“Clientele” is a noun.

Where does the word “clientele” come from?

The word “clientele” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French clientèle, ultimately from Latin cliens, "client.".

Is “clientele” a common word?

“Clientele” is an uncommon word in modern English.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial