clientele

clientele — noun

1. the people who use the services or buy the products of a particular business, vi

1.nounB2
Definition

the people who use the services or buy the products of a particular business, viewed together as a single group

Example

The spa in Hana's neighbourhood draws an upscale clientele from nearby cities.

collocation: draws a [adjective] clientele

With its affordable prices, the salon attracted a diverse clientele from across the city.

Common collocations
  • regular clientele
  • loyal clientele
  • diverse clientele
  • upscale / exclusive clientele
  • international clientele
  • wealthy clientele
  • draw / attract a clientele
  • cater to a clientele
  • serve a clientele
  • younger / older clientele
Synonyms
  • customers

    everyday term for people who buy goods or services; less formal and more common than clientele

  • patrons

    used especially for customers of theatres, restaurants, and cultural venues; implies regular or supportive attendance

  • clients

    used for professional services (lawyers, consultants, agencies) rather than retail or hospitality

  • regulars

    informal term for people who visit the same business frequently; narrower in scope than clientele

Grammar Patterns

[business] + 's + clientele

a + [adjective] + clientele

clientele + includes / consists of / is

Usage Note

Clientele is an uncountable collective noun that always takes a singular verb (e.g., 'its clientele is...', not 'are...'). It is more formal than 'customers' and commonly appears in the context of hotels, restaurants, medical practices, law firms, and high-end shops.

Common Mistakes

The law firm has many clienteles from different industries.
The law firm has a diverse clientele from different industries.
Clientele is uncountable and does not take a plural form.
The supermarket's clientele were happy with the new prices.
The supermarket's clientele was happy with the new prices.
Even though clientele refers to many people, the noun itself is singular and takes a singular verb.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to people who receive goods or services from a business, but they differ in register and context. 'Customer' is the most general and neutral term, used for anyone who buys something from a shop, bank, or restaurant. 'Clientele' is the collective noun for all such people at a given business — more formal than 'customers' and used to describe the overall profile of the group ('a wealthy clientele'). 'Patron' is more formal than 'customer' and implies a regular visitor to a specific establishment such as a theatre, gallery, or restaurant. 'Client' is reserved for professional services — lawyers, accountants, therapists, or agencies — and suggests a long-term, advisory relationship rather than a single transaction. For example, a restaurant has 'customers' (or a 'clientele'), but a law firm has 'clients'; a museum might refer to its 'patrons' to convey cultural support.

customerspatronsclients

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • a loyal clientele
  • a diverse clientele
  • an upscale clientele
  • a regular clientele
  • the restaurant's clientele
  • the hotel's clientele

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'clientele' entered English in the 1500s from the French 'clientèle', which came from the Latin 'clientela' — a group of dependents or followers. The Latin root 'cluere' means 'to listen' or 'to obey', reflecting the original relationship between a Roman patron and the 'clientes' who depended on him for protection and support. Over time, the meaning shifted from personal dependency to a professional or commercial relationship.