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Apothecaries, Bodegas, and Boutiques
Apothecary, bodega, and boutique may not look very similar, but they are all related both in meaning and in origin. Each of these words can be traced back to a Latin word for “storehouse” (apotheca), and each one refers in English to a retail establishment of some sort. Although bodega initially meant “a storehouse for wine,” it now most commonly refers to a grocery store in an urban area, especially one that specializes in Hispanic groceries. Boutique has also taken on new meanings: its first sense in English (“a small retail store”) is still current, but it now may also denote “a small company that offers highly specialized products or services.” Of the three words, apothecary has changed the least; it has gone from referring solely to the person who sells drugs or medicines to also naming the store where such goods are sold.
Examples of bodega in a Sentence
Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 18 Nov. 2025
Authentic Labubus are only available at select retailers, but due to their popularity, Lafufus can be found almost anywhere, including gas stations, bodegas, gift shops, street vendors and a plethora of online sellers.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 17 Nov. 2025
In season 7, Harry was arrested after getting into a fight with a bodega owner.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Nov. 2025
The image is a recreation of a paparazzi photo from when Hilaria visited a bodega near their primary residence in New York City, according to the Times.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bodega
Cite this Entry
“Bodega.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bodega. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
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