The AI-powered English dictionary
plural customers
(obsolete) A habitual patron, regular purchaser, returning client; one who has a custom of buying from a particular business.
A patron, a client; one who purchases or receives a product or service from a business or merchant, or intends to do so. examples
(informal) A person, especially one engaging in some sort of interaction with others. quotations examples
Pug could just see Slote's pale face under his fur hat. "I don't agree with you on that. He's a pretty tough customer, Hopkins."
1971, Herman Wouk, chapter 52, in The Winds of War]
This switch led to Philip Hammond becoming the Transport Secretary and he quickly proved to be a tricky customer, asking questions about rail spending and reining it back whenever possible.
2020 January 2, Philip Haigh, “Ten eventful years and plenty of talking points”, in Rail, page 54
(India, historical) A native official who exacted customs duties. quotations
His houses […] are seized on by the Customer.
1609, Danvers, Letters, i. 25; and comp. Foster, ibid. ii. 225
The Customer should come and visit them.
1615, Sir T. Roe, Hak. Soc. i. 44
The several affronts, insolences, and abuses dayly put upon us by Boolchund, our chief Customer
1682, Hedges, Diary [Hak. Soc. i. 33]