VocabDictionary

consumer

/kənˈsuː.mər/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A person who purchases goods and services for personal use rather than for resale or production.

Example Sentences:
  • High inflation rates have directly affected consumer spending power this quarter.
  • The company launched an online survey to better understand consumer preferences.
2.noun

An organism in an ecosystem that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms or organic matter.

Example Sentences:
  • In this food chain, herbivores like deer act as primary consumers.
  • Secondary consumers feed on primary consumers to obtain necessary nutrients.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “consumer”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'consumere', meaning 'to use up, devour, or waste', formed by combining 'con-' (altogether) and 'sumere' (to take). It entered Late Middle English originally referring to someone or something that destroys or uses up items, evolving in the 18th century into its modern economic sense of a buyer of goods and services.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

A consumer is someone who consumes (uses up or eats) products and services.

Frequently Asked Questions About “consumer

1. What is the meaning of “consumer” in English?

In English, consumer (noun) is defined as: “A person who purchases goods and services for personal use rather than for resale or production.”.

2. How do you use “consumer” in a sentence?

High inflation rates have directly affected consumer spending power this quarter.

3. What are English synonyms of “consumer”?

Common synonyms include:buyer,purchaser,customer,shopper,end-user

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “consumer”?

Derived from the Latin 'consumere', meaning 'to use up, devour, or waste', formed by combining 'con-' (altogether) and 'sumere' (to take). It entered Late Middle English originally referring to someone or something that destroys or uses up items, evolving in the 18th century into its modern economic sense of a buyer of goods and services.