bespoke

adjective

be·​spoke bi-ˈspōk 

bē-

variants or less commonly bespoken

bi-ˈspō-kən 

bē-

1

a

: custom-made

a bespoke suit

b

: dealing in or producing custom-made articles

a bespoke tailor

2

dialect : engaged

Did you know?

In the English language of yore, the verb bespeak had various meanings, including “to speak,” “to accuse,” and “to complain.” In the 16th century, bespeak acquired another meaning: “to order.” It is from that sense that we get the adjective bespoke, referring to clothes and other things that are ordered before they are made. Bespoke has enjoyed a spike in usage in recent years, perhaps due to consumer trends that champion all things artisanal over those that are prefab.

Synonyms of bespoke

• tailored
• custom
• customized

Examples of bespoke in a Sentence

a wealthy man who can easily afford bespoke suits

Recent Examples on the Web

FlyBlack Jets, co-founded with her husband, offers bespoke private jet experiences, attracting high-profile clients through strategic social media partnerships rather than free flights. — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

For the 2019 Emmys, Roach collaborated with Vera Wang to create a bespoke emerald green gown featuring a sheer bustier and daring thigh-high slit. — Shelby Comroe, InStyle, 25 July 2026

Choose from three different seat depths, two wooden base finishes, and 137 upholstery options for a sofa that feels nearly bespoke. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026

The result is bespoke, real-time guidance on what treatment a playing surface might need. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

past participle of bespeak

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for bespoke

• awoke
• baroque
• colloque
• convoke
• evoke
• invoke
• keystroke
• kinfolk
• kinsfolk
• menfolk
• provoke
• revoke

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