# retainer

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɹɪˈteɪn.ə/ · frequency rank #24,886

## Definitions
1. Any thing or person that retains.
2. A dependent or follower of someone of rank.
3. A paid servant, especially one who has been employed for many years.
4. A fee one pays to reserve the other's time for services.
5. A device that holds teeth in position after orthodontic treatment.
6. A retaining valve.

## Etymology
From retain + -er.

## Easily confused with
- **retains** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retainer-vs-retains)
- **retain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retain-vs-retainer)
- **Reiner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reiner-vs-retainer)
- **Rainer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rainer-vs-retainer)
- **remained** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/remained-vs-retainer)
- **retained** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retained-vs-retainer)
- **retailer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retailer-vs-retainer)
- **regained** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/regained-vs-retainer)
- **recliner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/recliner-vs-retainer)
- **remainder** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/remainder-vs-retainer)

## Common misspellings (11)
`ertainer`, `reatiner`, `retaienr`, `retainerr`, `retainner`, `retainre`, `retanier`, `retianer`, `rettainer`, `rretainer`, `rteainer`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/retainer