bespoke

[bih-spohk]

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.

verb

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

bespoke

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bespoke¹

First recorded in 1745–55 bespoke for def. 1

Example Sentences

The system is bespoke to the card industry, however the BBC understands it could be used as a model for similar or alternative processes for other products.

Read more on BBC

Etsy has millions of bespoke listings that can be difficult to discover.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Inside, the home is described as “curated to perfection by a visionary designer,” boasting “curated materials and refined design elements,” including stone fireplaces, bespoke glass light fixtures, and custom built-ins.

Read more on MarketWatch

“The estate’s rich textures, thoughtful design elements, and bespoke accents make it not just a residence but a work of art—an extraordinary sanctuary where home meets artistry in perfect harmony,” it said.

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Mr Gostick, who dresses up as Edward Shelby while leading groups through the city, has been able to turn his bespoke tours into a full-time job, due to its popularity.

Read more on BBC

When To Use

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 But bespeak is rarely used as a verb anymore—it sounds very outdated.Bespoke also sounds a bit old-fashioned, but that’s probably why it became so trendy—it’s often used to imply a handcrafted, unique approach to making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!