boutique

[boo-teek]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of boutique¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of boutique¹

C18: from French, probably from Old Provençal botica , ultimately from Greek apothēkē storehouse; see _apothecary

Example Sentences

As a result, “all these funky little lots in the city of Seattle are eligible for nice little boutique apartment buildings,” said Van Leeuwen.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He was working at a boutique Manhattan law firm called Gold & Wachtel that counted Epstein among its clients.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This is the fancy, unclouded artisanal stuff from D.C.’s boutique ice company Favourite Ice, founded by local bartenders Owen Thomson and Joseph Ambrose.

Read more on Salon

Some retail investors feel safer seeking out larger firms with well-known brands rather than boutique investment firms, but there is no hard and fast rule that says one is better than the other.

Read more on MarketWatch

With a 400kW capacity, the data centre is relatively small – or "boutique", according to Mr Richardson.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• booth 
• store