Consumer
kuhn-SOO-mer
/kənˈsuːmər/
A person who purchases goods and services for personal use.
A consumer is the end-user, distinct from a customer who might purchase for resale or business use. The focus is on personal consumption.
The story behind the word. The word 'consumer' comes from the Latin 'consumere,' meaning 'to take up entirely,' 'to use up,' or 'to devour.' It's formed from 'com-' (together, thoroughly) and 'sumere' (to take). So, a consumer is someone who 'takes up' or 'uses up' goods and services, bringing the product's journey to its end.
Word relationships
- Purchaser: More formal, emphasizes the act of buying.
- Buyer: General term for someone who buys, can be business or individual.
- Client: Often implies a professional service relationship.
- Producer: One who creates goods or services.
Commonly confused with
- Customer: A customer buys from a specific business; a consumer uses the product.
Word family
- consume (verb): To eat, drink, or ingest (food or drink); to use up (a resource).
- consumption (noun): The action of using up a resource; the amount used.
Collocations
- target consumer
- informed consumer
- consumer behavior
- consumer rights
- consumer goods
- consumer spending
Example sentences
- "Rising prices are a major concern for the average consumer, impacting their purchasing power." An economic report.
- "Understanding the needs and preferences of the target consumer is paramount for successful product development." A discussion about product design.
- "Consumer protection laws are designed to safeguard the rights of individuals buying goods and services." A legal context.
Memory hook
Con-SUME-r: The 'SUM' of all goods you 'SUME' (consume) makes you a consumer. Someone who uses up.
When not to use
Avoid using 'consumer' if the entity is buying for business operations or resale; 'customer' or 'client' would be more appropriate.
Fun facts
- The concept of the 'consumer society' gained prominence after World War II, driven by mass production and advertising.
Related words
Explore more words
consumption, consumerism, distribution, utility, wholesale, vendor
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.