French word

client

Pronunciation

IPA/klijɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncustomer

Example

Le client attend son tour au comptoir.

The customer is waiting for his turn at the counter.

Illustration for client (customer)

More examples

Le client fidèle revient chaque semaine.

The regular customer comes back every week.

Core concept

A person who relies on a business or professional for something obtained in exchange for payment.

Common phrases

  • client fidèle

    regular customer

  • client potentiel

    potential customer

  • client mécontent

    dissatisfied customer

Similar words

acheteur: A person who buys a product or service.
consommateur: A person who uses or consumes a product or service.
patient: A person receiving medical care or examination at a hospital or clinic.

Definition in French

Personne qui paie pour obtenir un bien ou un service auprès d'un commerçant, d'une entreprise ou d'un professionnel.

Word origin

The word was inherited through Old French from Latin cliens and broadened from a patron's dependent to a customer or user of professional services.

Usage tips

  • Client is common for a shop customer or a lawyer's customer, whereas patient is usually used for a person receiving medical care.

Other meanings

  • clientnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word