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 But bespeak is rarely used as a verb anymore—it sounds very outdated.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

Jenkin puts together his bespoke films like tactile, fragile curiosities — it’s as if the battered reels have been fished out of the water, their origin unknown.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026

The lower level of the bespoke 4,300 stadium was filled with a variety of cabinet members and White House pals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026

Yann was given his first bespoke treatment plan, which takes four years to complete, and it is hoped will make him allergy-free.

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026

Building costs are massive and the structures are bespoke, and after their 10-year leases end, clients can choose not to re-up.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

Thus designed, Morgan Stanley’s new bespoke credit default swap was virtually certain one day to pay off.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis