apothecary

noun

apoth·​e·​cary ə-ˈpä-thə-ˌker-ē 

-ˌke-rē

plural apothecaries

1

: one who prepares and sells drugs or compounds for medicinal purposes

2

: pharmacy

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms of apothecary

• pharmacist

Examples of apothecary in a Sentence

in olden days the apothecary had few drugs that actually cured anything, most substances being little more than pain relievers

the historic village boasts an old-fashioned apothecary that's been there for almost a century and a half

Recent Examples on the Web

The metaphysical shop and apothecary, located on Hollywood Way, is featured in the film and name-checked as the spot where Bear buys his One Wish Willow for Nikki. —Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2026

Now a botanist and apothecary, Cadfael aids the local sheriff in solving all manner of crimes committed in and near Shrewsbury Abbey during England’s 15-year civil war known now as the Anarchy. —Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026

Then, the therapists hand-blend your herbs at the traditional apothecary. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026

Spend an afternoon exploring everything from an independent book store to a modern day apothecary to antique shops. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 11 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English apothecarie, apotecarie, pothecarie, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French apothecaire, ipotecaire, borrowed from Medieval Latin apotēcārius, apothēcārius, going back to Late Latin, "shopkeeper," from Latin apothēca "storeroom, storehouse, repository" (borrowed from Greek apothḗkē, from apothē-, variant stem of apotithénai "to put away, stow away" —from apo- apo- + tithénai "to put, place"— + -kē, noun suffix) + -ārius -ary entry 1 — more at do entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for apothecary

• accretionary
• bicentenary
• certiorari
• concessionary
• concretionary
• confectionary
• confectionery
• constabulary
• contemporary
• deflationary
• depositary
• disciplinary

Kids Definition

apothecary

noun

apoth·​e·​cary ə-ˈpäth-ə-ˌker-ē 

plural apothecaries

: druggist

Medical Definition

apothecary

noun

apoth·​e·​cary ə-ˈpäth-ə-ˌker-ē 

plural apothecaries

1

: a person who prepares and sells drugs or compounds for medicinal purposes : druggist, pharmacist

2

: pharmacy sense 2a