boutique
Boutique (noun) means a small shop, especially one selling fashionable clothes or specialist goods. Example: “She bought the dress at a little boutique on the high street.”
How to use boutique
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, stylish shop, or (as an adjective) small and specialised rather than mass-market.
Word forms
boutiques plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She bought the dress at a little _____ on the high street.
Etymology
From French boutique, "shop."
Synonyms
View more →Rhymes for boutique
See all rhymes for boutique →Frequently asked questions
What does “boutique” mean?
The word “boutique” means a small shop, especially one selling fashionable clothes or specialist goods. In plain terms, a small, stylish shop, or (as an adjective) small and specialised rather than mass-market.
How do you pronounce “boutique”?
“Boutique” is pronounced boo-TEEK (/buˈtik/ in IPA).
How do you use “boutique” in a sentence?
Here is “boutique” used in a sentence: “She bought the dress at a little boutique on the high street.”
What part of speech is “boutique”?
Depending on how it is used, “boutique” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “boutique” come from?
The word “boutique” comes from French. From French boutique, "shop.".
Is “boutique” a common word?
“Boutique” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “boutique” have?
“Boutique” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small shop, especially one selling fashionable clothes or specialist goods.
What is the difference between a boutique and a regular store?
A boutique is a small shop that typically sells fashionable clothing or specialist goods, offering a curated selection rather than the wide, mass-market range found in a regular store. The term emphasizes a niche, often upscale focus.
What does "boutique" mean when used as an adjective, as in "boutique hotel" or "boutique firm"?
As an adjective, "boutique" describes a small, specialized business that serves a niche market, such as a boutique hotel offering personalized service or a boutique law firm focusing on one practice area. It signals exclusivity and specialization rather than scale.
Is "boutique" always used for clothing shops?
No, while "boutique" originally referred to small clothing or specialty shops, it now applies broadly as an adjective to any small, niche-focused business, including hotels and consulting firms.
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