Retainer - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A retainer is a fee paid in advance to secure services, often for professionals like lawyers or consultants. It can also refer to a dental device that keeps teeth aligned after braces.
retainer
Definition:
A fee or person retained for services, such as a lawyer or dental device.
Synonyms:
deposit, fee, servant, keeper, advance
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
refund, discharge
Common Collocations:
legal retainer, monthly retainer, dental retainer, paid retainer, client retainer
Derivatives:
retainership, retainable
Usage Tips:
Use "retainer" for ongoing service fees or devices keeping things in place (e.g., teeth).
Common Phrases:
on retainer, pay a retainer, lose one's retainer
Etymology:
From Old French *retenir*, meaning "to retain," from Latin *retinēre* ("hold back").
Examples:
- 1. She paid a retainer to her lawyer monthly.
- 2. The orthodontist fitted him with a clear plastic retainer.
- 3. The consultant works on a $5,000 annual retainer.
- 4. He lost his dental retainer after lunch.