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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 boutique in a Sentence
Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
The neighborhood will also feature a new boutique hotel — just one block away from Press’d.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee
march 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Inside, the dining room is a happening spot, while outside, tables spill onto the pedestrian-only Exmouth Market, which is lined with cafés, boutiques, and pubs.
—Zoey Goto, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
In 2023, Oliver Smith, the founder of the eponymous boutique, started Watch Week Aspen, an annual event which has become a local hit, attracting watch aficionados and enthusiasts from all over the country.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for boutique
Cite this Entry
“Boutique.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boutique. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
boutique
noun
from French boutique "shop"
Legal Definition
boutique
noun
