boutique

American  

[boo-teek] / buˈtik /

noun

1. a small shop or a small specialty department within a larger store, especially one that sells fashionable clothes and accessories or a special selection of other merchandise.

2. any small, exclusive business offering customized service.

   Our advertising is handled by a new Madison Avenue boutique.

3. Informal. a small business, department, etc., specializing in one aspect of a larger industry.

   one of Wall Street's leading research boutiques.

---

adjective

1. of, designating, or characteristic of a small, exclusive producer or business.

   one of California's best boutique wineries.

boutique British  

/ buːˈtiːk /

noun

1. a shop, esp a small one selling fashionable clothes and other items

2. 1. of or denoting a small specialized producer or business

   2. ( as modifier )

      a boutique winery

3. a small specialized stall or shopping area within a supermarket, esp selling fresh meat, seafood, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of boutique

1760–70; < French, Middle French, probably < Old Provençal botica, botiga (with Late Greek ē > ī ) < Greek apothḗkē; apothecary, bottega

Example Sentences

Great Elm Capital, a small BDC affiliated with the boutique investment bank Imperial Capital, used all of the performance-enhancing tactics in its $420 million portfolio, and found itself with hefty exposure to First Brands.

From The Wall Street Journal

Luxury once relied on small, enclosed boutiques designed for an exclusive clientele.

From The Wall Street Journal

When he moved to a boutique hotel in Burbank, we ate our way down the row of restaurants on that stretch of Riverside Drive.

From Los Angeles Times

Online retailer Shein opened its first permanent boutique in a beloved Parisian department store in November, meant to be a crowning moment for the Chinese-founded company, now headquartered in Singapore.

From The Wall Street Journal

The family's home is in Brentwood, a wealthy celebrity enclave full of large mansions, boutique shops and restaurants.

From BBC

Related Words

• booth
• store