retainer
retainer — noun
- retainersingular
- retainersplural
1. money that a client gives ahead of time to a professional — for instance, a lawy
money that a client gives ahead of time to a professional — for instance, a lawyer or adviser — guaranteeing they will make time for you whenever their help is requested.
The company pays Bilal a monthly retainer to handle all their legal matters.
collocation: pay + retainer
Elena's family paid a retainer to the law firm to secure help before the trial.
Many freelance consultants ask for a yearly retainer from their long-term clients.
Nikos signed a retainer agreement with the accountant to manage his business taxes.
The retainer fee covers up to ten hours of legal advice each month.
- fee
more general; a retainer is a specific type of advance or ongoing fee
- advance payment
emphasises the upfront nature; less specific to professional services
- deposit
used for holding an item or service; not strictly for professional availability
文法句型
pay (someone) a retainer
retainer fee
retainer agreement
用法筆記
Commonly used in legal and business contexts. The retainer may be a flat monthly fee or a deposit that gets drawn down as work is performed.
常見錯誤
2. a removable plastic or wire device worn inside the mouth that stops teeth from s
a removable plastic or wire device worn inside the mouth that stops teeth from shifting after braces have been taken off.
Nia wears her retainer every night to keep her teeth from moving back.
pattern: wear + retainer + time frequency
After two years of braces, David's dentist gave him a clear plastic retainer.
adjective: clear plastic retainer
The orthodontist told Bao to clean his retainer with a soft toothbrush daily.
If you stop wearing your retainer, your teeth may slowly shift out of place.
Iker forgot his retainer in a lunch bag and had to get a replacement made.
- orthodontic retainer
the full technical term
- teeth retainer
more explanatory but less common
文法句型
wear a retainer
retainer + verb (holds / keeps)
用法筆記
Dentists and orthodontists usually recommend wearing a retainer every night for several years after braces are removed. This sense is countable: 'a retainer', 'my retainers'.
常見錯誤
3. a worker employed inside a private home — often one who has served the same hous
a worker employed inside a private home — often one who has served the same household across many years or even generations.
The family's loyal retainer had worked for three generations of the household.
collocation: loyal retainer
In classic mystery novels, the retainer is often a character who knows every family secret.
The elderly retainer greeted guests at the door and showed them into the sitting room.
Lord Ashworth trusted his retainer more than he trusted any of his business partners.
The old retainer retired after fifty years and moved into a cottage on the estate.
文法句型
family retainer
faithful retainer
loyal retainer
用法筆記
This sense is historical or literary in modern English. It is rarely used in everyday conversation and is most often encountered in fiction, historical writing, or period dramas.