Retainer
noun
A person who works for someone else.
The wealthy family had many retainers working for them.
Often appears as...
- loyal retainer
- personal retainer
noun
A payment made to a professional, especially a lawyer, to secure their services as needed.
The lawyer required a retainer before he would start working on the case.
Often appears as...
- pay a retainer
- legal retainer
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A device used to hold something in place.
She wore a retainer to straighten her teeth.
Often appears as...
- dental retainer
- wire retainer
noun
A clip used to keep hair in place.
She used a retainer to pull back her hair while she studied.
Often appears as...
- hair retainer
- clip retainer
noun
A person who works for someone else.
The wealthy family had many retainers working for them.
Often appears as...
- loyal retainer
- personal retainer
noun
A payment made to a professional, especially a lawyer, to secure their services as needed.
The lawyer required a retainer before he would start working on the case.
Often appears as...
- pay a retainer
- legal retainer
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A device used to hold something in place.
She wore a retainer to straighten her teeth.
Often appears as...
- dental retainer
- wire retainer
noun
A clip used to keep hair in place.
She used a retainer to pull back her hair while she studied.
Often appears as...
- hair retainer
- clip retainer
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Use
Originally referred to servants in a royal or noble household.
Medieval lords had many retainers who swore loyalty.
Pro Tip 2/3Loyalty Implied
Implies a relationship involving loyalty or long-term service.
The king's retainer served him for decades.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Just Servants
Can include advisors or skilled personnel, not just domestic workers.
The artist became a retainer for the wealthy patron.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Use
Originally referred to servants in a royal or noble household.
Medieval lords had many retainers who swore loyalty.
Pro Tip 2/3Loyalty Implied
Implies a relationship involving loyalty or long-term service.
The king's retainer served him for decades.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Just Servants
Can include advisors or skilled personnel, not just domestic workers.
The artist became a retainer for the wealthy patron.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Use
Originally referred to servants in a royal or noble household.
Medieval lords had many retainers who swore loyalty.
Pro Tip 2/3Loyalty Implied
Implies a relationship involving loyalty or long-term service.
The king's retainer served him for decades.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Just Servants
Can include advisors or skilled personnel, not just domestic workers.
The artist became a retainer for the wealthy patron.
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Video examples
Captain Charles Moore on...
with stomachs full of bottle caps and other rubbish, like cigarette lighters but, mostly bottle caps. Sadly, their parents mistake bottle caps for food tossing about in the ocean surface. The retainer rings for the caps
Video examples
A day in the life of a...
The daimyo rules the domain, and about 1,500 samurai retainers serve him. For 200 years, Japan has been at peace, and the samurai, once primarily warriors, now play a much wider range of roles—
Video examples
Captain Charles Moore on...
with stomachs full of bottle caps and other rubbish, like cigarette lighters but, mostly bottle caps. Sadly, their parents mistake bottle caps for food tossing about in the ocean surface. The retainer rings for the caps
Video examples
A day in the life of a...
The daimyo rules the domain, and about 1,500 samurai retainers serve him. For 200 years, Japan has been at peace, and the samurai, once primarily warriors, now play a much wider range of roles—
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Sheryl Sandberg
American Businesswoman
Every company I know is looking for more women at the table. Every board is looking for more women at the table. There's a reason why men want to understand the challenges women face, address them, because then they're going to be better hirers, attracters and retainers of women.
Quote examples
Colton Underwood
American Athlete
I had curly hair, braces, pimples - you talk about going through puberty and the worst things that go with it, I had it, for sure. And then I had a bottom retainer, so my lisp was really bad. I still have a minor one when I get really excited.
Quote examples
Kreayshawn
American Musician
I had braces; I was lucky, 'cause I had some snaggle teeth. I always try and keep my retainer on me 'cause I'm paranoid about my teeth. It was run over by a car, so half of it's missing, but it still works.
Quote examples
Katherine McNamara
American Actress
My grandfather used to be a dentist, and he made me these retainers that have vampire teeth on them.
Quote examples
Jeff Gannon
American Journalist
I have always had an attorney on retainer, and now I believe I will have to put him to work.
Quote examples
J Mascis
American Musician
I have a couple of gold teeth. I had braces for a year but I didn't wear the retainer.
Quote examples
Judy Smith
American Producer
I charge by the hour, or I am on a retainer. We try to work with the client.
Quote examples
June Brown
English Actress
I don't want a retainer for 'EastEnders,' I've left. I've left for good.
Quote examples
Gore Vidal
American Novelist
That loyal retainer of the Chase Manhattan Bank, the American president.
Quote examples
Sheryl Sandberg
American Businesswoman
Every company I know is looking for more women at the table. Every board is looking for more women at the table. There's a reason why men want to understand the challenges women face, address them, because then they're going to be better hirers, attracters and retainers of women.
Quote examples
Colton Underwood
American Athlete
I had curly hair, braces, pimples - you talk about going through puberty and the worst things that go with it, I had it, for sure. And then I had a bottom retainer, so my lisp was really bad. I still have a minor one when I get really excited.
Quote examples
Kreayshawn
American Musician
I had braces; I was lucky, 'cause I had some snaggle teeth. I always try and keep my retainer on me 'cause I'm paranoid about my teeth. It was run over by a car, so half of it's missing, but it still works.
Quote examples
Katherine McNamara
American Actress
My grandfather used to be a dentist, and he made me these retainers that have vampire teeth on them.
Quote examples
Jeff Gannon
American Journalist
I have always had an attorney on retainer, and now I believe I will have to put him to work.
Quote examples
J Mascis
American Musician
I have a couple of gold teeth. I had braces for a year but I didn't wear the retainer.
Quote examples
Judy Smith
American Producer
I charge by the hour, or I am on a retainer. We try to work with the client.
Quote examples
June Brown
English Actress
I don't want a retainer for 'EastEnders,' I've left. I've left for good.
Quote examples
Gore Vidal
American Novelist
That loyal retainer of the Chase Manhattan Bank, the American president.
Example 1 of 9
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