Showing results for "bespoke"

• past tense form of bespeak.
• past participle of bespeak.

bespoke

American  

[bih-spohk] / bɪˈspoʊk /

adjective

1. 1. (of clothes) made to individual order; custom-made.

      a bespoke jacket.

   2. making or selling such clothes.

      a bespoke tailor.

2. Older Use. engaged to be married; spoken for.

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verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of bespeak.

bespoke British  

/ bɪˈspəʊk /

adjective

1. (esp of clothing or a website, computer program, etc) made to the customer's specifications

2. making or selling such clothing, websites, etc

   a bespoke tailor

   a bespoke web designer

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Usage

What does bespoke mean? Bespoke means custom-made—made based on the specifications of the person ordering it, as in a bespoke suit. It can also be used to describe a person or company that makes such things, as in bespoke tailor. Bespoke is an adjective, but it’s also the past tense of the verb bespeak, which commonly means to ask for in advance (as in I need to bespeak your help) or to reserve beforehand (as in You need to bespeak a table, sir). But bespeak is rarely used as a verb anymore—it sounds very outdated. Bespoke also sounds a bit old-fashioned, but that’s probably why it became so trendy—it’s often used to imply a handcrafted, unique approach to making something. In its strictest sense, bespoke means made-to-order, but it’s often applied to things that aren’t actually made specifically for someone but that are simply made individually, as opposed to being mass-produced. Example: I found this website yesterday that does bespoke sweatshirts that can be custom-made to my preferences and body type!

Etymology

Origin of bespoke

First recorded in 1745–55 bespoke for def. 1

Explanation

The man in the bespoke suit is likely to be either the best-dressed or the most overdressed person at your backyard barbecue, depending on how you look at it. Bespoke means custom-made. Clothing that's made to order, tailored especially for you, is called bespoke. It's an adjective that is more common in Britain than in the United States. Bespoke can also describe non-clothing items that are made-to-order, as well as the person who makes such things: a bespoke jeweler. The term was originally bespoken, meaning "spoken of or arranged beforehand." Obviously, if you wanted a custom-made suit, you had to make arrangements before buying it.

Example Sentences

While there, players may enjoy a well-stocked library, relax in a bespoke ceramics studio, or choose to fill out an Ivy League application.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

Our YouTube channel will have several bespoke shows, including...

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

Smith explained that in the past, states used to create bespoke statutes for corporations to do something like operate a ferry or a toll bridge.

From Salon • May 28, 2026

The groom wore a bespoke mallard green suit and ornate bolo tie for the ceremony, per Vogue, while the bride rocked some 5-inch Louboutin heels under her Oscar de la Renta gown.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

The crown jewel of their elaborate trading positions was still the $2 billion in bespoke credit default swaps Hubler felt certain would one day very soon yield $2 billion in pure profits.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis