boutique
Americannoun
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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.
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any small, exclusive business offering customized service.
Our advertising is handled by a new Madison Avenue boutique.
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Informal. a small business, department, etc., specializing in one aspect of a larger industry.
one of Wall Street's leading research boutiques.
adjective
noun
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a shop, esp a small one selling fashionable clothes and other items
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of or denoting a small specialized producer or business
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( as modifier )
a boutique winery
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a small specialized stall or shopping area within a supermarket, esp selling fresh meat, seafood, etc
Etymology
Origin of boutique
1760–70; < French, Middle French, probably < Old Provençal botica, botiga (with Late Greek ē > ī ) < Greek apothḗkē; apothecary, bottega
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“This is going to be the first boutique, high-end luxury townhome community in Hutchinson Island,” Cameron said, noting that much of the surrounding development has historically been more “commodity” driven.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026
Set in downtown LA, it’s an eclectic, colorful boutique hotel with vintage brick details and excellent service.
From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026
A mother of twin girls who was left shocked by the price of prom dresses has started a boutique where outfits and suits can be hired for free.
From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026
“At some point, there will be too many clubs,” says Thomas Brown, CEO of Ad Altius Advisors, a brokerage that helps owners buy and sell luxury boutique hotels.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026
Carrie had started a jewelry boutique with her trust and ran it for a number of years until it failed.
From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
