boutique

noun

bou·​tique bü-ˈtēk How to pronounce boutique (audio)
often attributive
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
boutiquey adjective

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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

Recent Examples on the Web For a variety of galleries, jewelers, distinctive boutiques, and brand name clothing, an evening stroll along Las Olas Boulevard is vibrant and engaging. Kathleen Turner, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 Paramount Pictures acquired the film from its boutique label Republic Pictures shortly after yjr festival debuts. Clayton Davis, Variety, 30 Sep. 2024 The boutique is being held Oct. 9-12 at 124 S. Orange St., Orange. Andrea Manes, Orange County Register, 26 Sep. 2024 The 67-room, boutique hotel is located in a former candy factory that first opened in 1898. Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for boutique 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'boutique.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of boutique was in 1767

Dictionary Entries Near boutique

Cite this Entry

“Boutique.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boutique. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

boutique

noun
bou·​tique bü-ˈtēk How to pronounce boutique (audio)
: a small fashionable store
Etymology

from French boutique "shop"

Legal Definition

boutique

noun
bou·​tique bü-ˈtēk How to pronounce boutique (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on boutique

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