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Meaning & use

retainers

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/rɪˈteɪnəz/
US/rɪˈteɪnərz/

“retainers” is a form of “retainer”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nounpluralmedical

    A device worn in the mouth to keep teeth in position after braces are removed.

    Grammar: Usually plural because it has two parts; a single device is 'a retainer'.

    Patterns

    • wear retainers
    • put in retainers
    • take out retainers

    She has to wear her retainers every night.

    The orthodontist said the retainers would keep his teeth straight.

    He lost his retainers and had to get new ones made.

  2. nounplurallegalbusiness

    Money paid in advance to a professional such as a lawyer to secure their services.

    Grammar: Often used in the plural when talking about regular payments; 'a retainer' is one payment.

    Patterns

    • pay retainers
    • monthly retainers
    • a retainer of $500

    The law firm charges monthly retainers to its business clients.

    They paid retainers to several consultants before the project began.

    Her retainer is $2,000 a month plus expenses.

  3. nounpluralold-fashioned

    Servants or followers who have served a person or family for a long time.

    Grammar: Now rather old-fashioned; usually used in historical contexts.

    Patterns

    • loyal retainers
    • family retainers

    The old lord was surrounded by his loyal retainers.

    The family retainers had worked at the house for generations.

Word forms

singularretainer

Common combinations

wear retainers
You must wear your retainers every night to keep your teeth straight.
monthly retainer
The agency works for a monthly retainer.
pay a retainer
We had to pay a retainer before the lawyer would take the case.
loyal retainers
The king rewarded his loyal retainers with land.

Synonyms and how they differ

fee
A general word for money paid for a service; a retainer is specifically paid in advance to keep someone available.
deposit
Money paid as part of a total price; a retainer is for professional services and is often not refundable.

Word family

retain verb
To keep something or continue to have something.
retention noun
The act of keeping something or someone.

Commonly confused: retainers or braces?

retainers vs braces

Braces are the metal wires that move teeth into place; retainers are worn afterward to keep them in the new position.

Practice

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