clientela

clientele

noun klee-en-TEH-lah Rare

Origin: Latin clientela, from cliens (client)

Also means

customer base

Usage Note

Clientela is a collective noun referring to all the customers of a business: una clientela fedele (a loyal clientele). It is always singular even though it denotes a group, like gente or folla. Do not use clientele (which would be the English plural) — the Italian word itself is singular.

Examples

"Il negozio ha una clientela molto affezionata."

Natural Translation

The shop has a very loyal clientele.

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