Cliental Vs Clientele, What’s The Correct Word To Use?

Grammar errors can occur for various reasons. People can make mistakes due to a lack of knowledge or when using rare terms such as “clientale.” Sometimes we overcomplicate written language making it hard to communicate a simple thought. Have you ever seen a phrase with the word “clientale?” Is this a synonym of the term “clientele?”

When we talk about a group of business clients, we use the word “clientele” instead of “clientale.” The term “clientale” is not usually recognized as a valid word. The word “clientele” is a holonym of the word “client.” 

This article will explain the meaning of “clientele” and “client” and some common misspellings, such as “clientale.” You will learn what holonyms and meronyms are and how this relates to “clientele” and the word “client.” Furthermore, we will examine some examples and how to spell this term correctly.

Definition Of “Clientele”

“Clientele” is a noun that refers to “clients collectively.” In other words, “clientele” is the group of clients that a business has. These clients are “the customers of a shop, bar, or place of entertainment.” We usually consider clientele, a group of clients with similar characteristics, values or habits, that frequent a place to purchase a good or service. However, despite the fact that these clients can form a “more-or-less homogeneous group,” they can also be different, but they coincide in that they are loyal to the same place or service.

Etymology

The origin of “clientele” dates back to 1555-65, as “a body that professed adherents; clients collectively under the patronage of someone.” It comes from French “clientéle,” from Latin “clientēla,” alluding to a relationship between dependant and patron; “body of clients,” from clientem, nominative “cliens,” “follower, retainer.”

Let’s say you have a nightclub and the frequent people who come to your lounge are young famous college students who like alternative music. These wealthy students are part of the clientele of your club.

The following examples will also help you understand how to use “clientele” within a sentence:

• The clientele of this resort are people with high standards.
• My father will restyle the restaurant to attract a wealthier clientele.
• After Covid-19, telecommunications companies have grown their clientele due to higher Internet demands.
• The bar has a very diverse clientele of all races, ages, and nationalities.
• Most Dominican hotels on the east coast have a European clientele.
• My online shop has an international clientele.
• Despite their efforts, the clientele of rock bars in the Colonial Zone has decreased significantly.
• The restaurant clientele likes to read while taking their coffee. Therefore, they make sure the environment is quiet and peaceful.
• Since she is an open-minded doctor, she has a very diverse clientele.
• The entertainment industry hopes their clientele increases when the government takes out the curfew due to the pandemic.
• The company tries to build trust among its clientele.
• Touristic clientele represents one of the largest sources of income for many developing countries.
• Unfortunately, the current political system has created a highly dependent political clientele.
• The saloon has flexible hours of operation, which is very suitable for their clientele.
• Her company’s clientele ranges from professional individuals to large corporations.
• CCN has a large clientele consisting of companies from diverse industries.
• The food court is located on Washington street and has a clientele built up by students because they are close to several colleges and student residences.
• That mall has a widely varying financial profile clientele.

Synonyms And Related Terms

• Clients
• Buyers
• Purchasers
• Shoppers
• Consumers
• Users
• Patients
• Regulars
• Habitués
• Frequenters
• Patronage
• Public
• Market
• Trade
• Business

Definition Of “Cliental”

“Cliental” is a common misspelling of the word clientele. However, some dictionaries define it as a “rare” adjective that relates to clients.

Etymology

The origin of “cliental” is from the Late 16th century, and it comes from client + al.

Other Common Misspelling Of Clientele:

• Clientale
• Clientell
• Clientelle
• Clientail
• Clientile
• Clientielle
• Cliantel

As we already mentioned, the term “clientele” is a holonym of the word client. Therefore “client” is a meronym.

What Are Holonyms And Meronyms?

In semantics, a holonym is a whole formed by parts, such as “face” is formed by “eye, nose, chin, etc.” There is a semantic relationship between a meronym and a holonym that denotes a whole and a part. In simple words, it is a term that englobes the meaning of other words because they are part of the same group. A meronym is a part of something as a whole.

Within this article’s context, the word clientele is a holonym of “client.” That means that clientele is a word that refers to customers or a group of clients, while a client is one customer as an individual.

To better understand what a holonym and meronym are, let’s examine some other examples:

Holonym	Meronym
Head	Face, hair, ears, nose: these are all parts of the head.
Body	Head, trunk, legs, arms: these are all parts of the body.
Tree	Leafs: part of a tree
Face	Eyes, nose, chin, mouth: part of a face.
Car	Tire, engine: part of a car.
Bird	Feather: part of the bird’s body.
Hand	Fingers: part of the hand.
Book	Page, cover: part of a book.
Apple tree	Apple: part of an apple tree.

Definition of “Client”

A client is a noun that names “a person or organization using the services of a lawyer or other professional person or company.” We can say that a client is a “buyer, or receiver of goods or services.”

For example, I’ve been going to the same hairdresser for the last five years. I like the way she manages my hair. I am a loyal client of this hairdresser’s salon.

Here are other sentences that can help you understand how to use client in a sentence:

• He is a loyal client who likes tipping.
• Most of the clients’ concerns are about their money security.
• His client was found guilty of the robbery.
• Most of those restaurant clients are Chinese.
• I’m offering a 50% discount to the first clients arriving at the store.
• The client expects to get his money back.
• Clients have high expectations regarding your customer service skills.
• A client came to claim that the garment he purchased was damaged.
• The cashier did not give the client the receipt, so the purchase was free.
• The supermarket has to change its strategy so they can attract more clients.
• It would help if you examined your clients’ purchase patterns to create an efficient business strategy.
• Would you please go find out what that client is looking for? – said the grocery store supervisor.
• Some restaurants refuse clients’ requests to take leftover food.
• The lawyer proved the innocence of his client.
• The boss has a meeting with a client at 11:00 AM.
• Many celebrities have been clients at my gym for many years.
• My husband is out for lunch with a client.

Etymology

The first known use of “client” is from Late Middle English from Latin “cliens,” client-, variant of cluens “heeding,” from cluere “hear or obey.” The term originally denoted a person under the protection and patronage, hence a person “protected” by a legal advisor.

Synonyms And Similar Terms

• Customer
• Buyer
• Purchaser
• Shopper
• Consumer
• User
• Patient
• Patron
• Regular
• Habitué
• Frequenter
• Clientele
• Patronage
• Public
• Market
• Trade
• Business
• Punter
• Vendee
• Emptor

Antonyms

• Broker
• Merchan
• Seller
• Vendor
• Shopkeeper
• Tradesman
• Fence

Conclusion

As we have learned, “clientele” is a group of customers usually with similar interests that buy or frequent a place or service. While some texts may use “clientale” as an adjective when referring to a client-type of relationship, most dictionaries don’t identify this term as an actual word. Therefore, we can deduce that “cliental” is a misspelling of the word “clientele,” and you should not use it to avoid grammar complications.