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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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2026
The film was released theatrically by indie distributor Rich Spirit through boutique screenings in select cities.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2026
Last year, the boutique served more than 1,000 students from 120 schools.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
Today the surrounding area is a maze of streets alive with chic boutiques, quirky bars and restaurants, and other historic buildings.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 5 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 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
boutique
noun
from French boutique "shop"
Legal Definition
boutique
noun
