What does "client" mean?

1. (professional service user) a person or organization that pays for services from a professional, like a lawyer, accountant, or architect. 2. (computing) a computer or a program that gets information from a central server. 3. (ancient Rome) in ancient Rome, a person who was protected by a powerful leader in exchange for support.

How do you use "client"?

Often used in the phrase 'client-server model'.

Is it correct to say "The shop has many clients every morning."?

No — say "The shop has many customers every morning.". Use 'customer' for people buying goods in a shop; use 'client' for people paying for professional services or advice.

client

US //ˈkɫaɪənt// UK //klˈaɪənt// client

1 professional service user (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a person or organization that pays for services from a professional, like a lawyer, accountant, or architect.

a person or entity that engages the professional advice or services of another. Often implies a long-term or formal relationship compared to a 'customer'.

Example

The lawyer met with her client to discuss the new contract details.

Example

The architectural firm prides itself on maintaining transparent communication with every client throughout the design and construction phases.

Teacher's tip

In business English, 'client' suggests a more personalized, ongoing relationship than 'customer', which is more transactional.
- provider
- vendor
Pitfall

The shop has many clients every morning.

The shop has many customers every morning.

Use 'customer' for people buying goods in a shop; use 'client' for people paying for professional services or advice.
2 computing (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

a computer or a program that gets information from a central server.

a computer system or software application that requests and consumes services provided by a server.

Example

You need to install the email client on your new laptop to see your messages.

Example

The thin-client architecture allows users to access powerful applications hosted on a central server without needing high-end local hardware.

Usage

Often used in the phrase 'client-server model'.
- workstation
- terminal
- server

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3 ancient Rome (n.)
C2 Proficiency Archaic

in ancient Rome, a person who was protected by a powerful leader in exchange for support.

a plebeian who lived under the protection of a patrician patron in ancient Rome.

Example

The powerful Roman senator was followed by a large group of clients.

Example

The social fabric of the Republic relied heavily on the reciprocal duties between the patron and his clients.

Teacher's tip

This sense is strictly for historical contexts and is the origin of the modern word.
- dependent
- follower
- patron

Origin

From Middle English client, from Anglo-Norman clyent, Old French client, from Latin cliēns, akin to clinare (“to lean”).