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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
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 9 May 2025
One unlikely casualty is The Obscure, a boutique distillery in Los Angeles that’s become a favorite among travelers for its immersive tasting experience and imaginative cocktails.
—Anastasia Boden, National Review, 8 May 2025
Past notables have included Jason Bateman, Eric Church, Mia Hamm, Eli Manning, and Condoleezza Rice.
Where to Stay
The new Villa Mara Carmel, a 16-room boutique hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea, is less than 15 minutes from the action.
—Kelsey Ogletree, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025
This town nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and along the Catawba River offers several local shops to peruse, including bookstores, home stores, boutiques and more.
—Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2025
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 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
boutique
noun
from French boutique "shop"
Legal Definition
boutique
noun
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