bodega

American  

[boh-dey-guh, baw-the-gah] / boʊˈdeɪ gə, bɔˈðɛ gɑ /

noun

PLURAL

bodegas

1. a small, independent or family-owned grocery store, usually located in a densely populated urban environment, traditionally serving a Hispanic clientele.

2. (in Spain)

   1. a wineshop.

   2. a warehouse for storing or aging wines.

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bodega British  

/ boˈðeɣa, bəʊˈdiːɡə /

noun

1. a shop selling wine and sometimes groceries, esp in a Spanish-speaking country

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Etymology

Origin of bodega

First recorded in 1845–50 bodega for def. 2; 1965–70 bodega for def. 1; from Latin American Spanish, Spanish “wine cellar, wine shop,” from Latin apothēca “storehouse”; apothecary

Example Sentences

We try a tight corner off the square, a bodega with hanging leather wineskins and plenty of barrels, and finally win a spot at the small counter.

From Salon

Since Arias bought the deli in 2021, he has had to stock a bodega for the dual clientele that Lee clocked nearly four decades ago.

From The Wall Street Journal

McCarthy says Atlantic City doesn’t even have a “full grocery store,” most residents rely on bodegas or smaller markets for grocery shopping.

From Salon

Like the bodegas of New York, they have become part of the fabric of contemporary urban life, multifunctional spaces that can be restaurants or coffee shops or bars with microwaves and outdoor seating.

From Los Angeles Times

Carmy brings Claire into our lives in Episode 2, “Pasta,” during a chance encounter at a bodega where he’s picking up ice cream to use as an ingredient in veal stock.

From Salon

Related Words

• convenience store
• trading post