Word
retainer
Phoneticsre·tain·er, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈteɪnɝ/
UK/ɹɪtˈeɪnɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a fee you pay in advance to a professional, like a lawyer, to make sure they are available to work for you when you need them.
n. a preliminary fee paid to a professional, such as an attorney or consultant, to secure their services or ensure their future availability. Often refers to a recurring payment in a long-term service agreement.
Examples
“The lawyer asked for a five-thousand-dollar retainer before starting the case.”
“The consulting firm remains on a monthly retainer to provide advice whenever the CEO requests it.”
“While some clients prefer hourly billing, others find that a fixed annual retainer offers more predictable costs and guarantees priority access to the firm's senior partners.”
Examples
simple
“The lawyer asked for a five-thousand-dollar retainer before starting the case.”
contextual
“The consulting firm remains on a monthly retainer to provide advice whenever the CEO requests it.”
complex
“While some clients prefer hourly billing, others find that a fixed annual retainer offers more predictable costs and guarantees priority access to the firm's senior partners.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'on' ('on retainer') to describe the state of being hired in advance.
Real-World Examples
“This year, the park’s geological staff retrieved six Invisalign retainers, eight mini race cars, three golf tees, and fifteen fake nails.” “They described the financial arrangement with this unnamed journalist as “a retainer”.” Etymology
From retain + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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