boutique

noun, often attributive bou·tique \ bü-ˈtēk \

Definition of boutique

1 a :a small shop dealing in fashionable clothing or accessories

b :a small shop within a large department store

2 :a small company that offers highly specialized services or products

boutique wineries

an independent investment boutique

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boutiquey

play \-ˈtē-kē\ adjective

See boutique defined for English-language learners

See boutique defined for kids

Recent Examples of boutique from the Web

Canton has a handful of women's boutiques, but options for men and kids are thinner.

— lauren zumbach, chicagotribune.com, "In smaller towns, empty storefronts and economic challenges loom large," 30 Aug. 2017
Jessica Callahan and Alison Jones are partners in a new, boutique fitness center that will officially open on Sept. 11.

— michelle matthews, AL.com, "Mobile's newest boutique fitness center opening soon in Midtown," 29 Aug. 2017
Additional apartment, townhouses, a boutique condo building and affordable housing would come in the second phase.

— erin hegarty, Naperville Sun, "Questions continue on size, process for Naperville 5th Avenue redevelopment," 29 Aug. 2017
A paradise for window shopping, the Rue de Bourg is lined with luxury brand stores and a variety of boutiques.

— joanne dibona, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Lake Geneva a Swiss paradise," 25 Aug. 2017
To most passers-by, the cozy space looks like any other boutique store in Manhattan’s Nolita neighborhood, with eclectic merchandise for sale like handmade jewelry, candles and bags.

— selina wang, The Seattle Times, "Mobile-payment processor Square opens brick-and-mortar store," 24 Aug. 2017
Over time, art galleries, small boutiques and furniture designers followed, giving the neighborhood cultural cachet.

— charles v. bagli, New York Times, "In a Thriving City, SoHo’s Soaring Rents Keep Storefronts Empty," 23 Aug. 2017
More than 100 South Florida boutique hotels list some, if not all, of their rooms on Airbnb, the company estimates.

— chabeli herrera, miamiherald, "Miami hotels are making money on Airbnb. But for one, it’s parties and prostitutes," 23 Aug. 2017
With postcard-perfect beaches, an array of restaurants serving up fresh seafood, and a handful of cutesy boutiques, spending LDW in ACK is pretty much a no-brainer.

— lindsay silberman, Town & Country, "Easy (and Last Minute!) Labor Day Getaway Ideas," 22 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'boutique.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

Origin and Etymology of boutique

French, shop, probably from Old Occitan botica, ultimately from Greek apothēkē storehouse — more at apothecary

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1767

See Words from the same year

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

BOUTIQUE Defined for English Language Learners

boutique

noun

Definition of boutique for English Language Learners

: a small store that sells stylish clothing or other usually expensive things

BOUTIQUE Defined for Kids

boutique

noun bou·tique \ bü-ˈtēk \

Definition of boutique for Students

:a small fashionable shop

Law Dictionary

boutique

noun bou·tique \ bü-ˈtēk \

legal Definition of boutique

:a small company that offers highly specialized services or products; specifically :a small law firm that offers services in one or a small number of legal areas