Word
clientele
Phoneticsclien·tele
/ˌkɫaɪənˈtɛɫ/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the group of people who regularly use a business or professional service. You use this word when talking about all the customers of a shop, restaurant, or lawyer as a single group.
n. the collective body of customers or clients of a business, professional person, or institution. Often used with a collective singular verb, though it refers to a group of individuals.
Examples
“The restaurant has a very loyal clientele.”
“The boutique's high-end clientele expects personalized service and exclusive access to new collections.”
“By shifting its marketing strategy toward younger professionals, the firm successfully diversified its clientele and reduced its dependence on a few aging accounts.”
Examples
simple
“The restaurant has a very loyal clientele.”
contextual
“The boutique's high-end clientele expects personalized service and exclusive access to new collections.”
complex
“By shifting its marketing strategy toward younger professionals, the firm successfully diversified its clientele and reduced its dependence on a few aging accounts.”
Usage
Usually takes a singular verb; often modified by adjectives like 'loyal', 'wealthy', or 'diverse'.
Real-World Examples
“The Kusama cult has grown alongside and inside a contemporary art world of slick worldwide galleries, with branches from LA to Hong Kong, and a clientele of one percenters who buy art like jewellery.” “Tann also skillfully drew in her clientele by promulgating “the idea that these are actually superior kids that she has chosen and picked out,” Wingate says.” Etymology
Borrowed from French clientèle, ultimately from Latin cliēns (English client).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/clientele