bespoke

adjective

be·​spoke bi-ˈspōk How to pronounce bespoke (audio)
bē-
variants or less commonly bespoken
1
a
: custom-made
a bespoke suit
b
: dealing in or producing custom-made articles
a bespoke tailor
2
dialect : engaged

Did you know?

In the English language of yore, the verb bespeak had various meanings, including “to speak,” “to accuse,” and “to complain.” In the 16th century, bespeak acquired another meaning: “to order or arrange in advance.” It is from that sense that we get the adjective bespoke, referring to clothes and other things that are ordered before they are made. Bespoke has enjoyed a spike in usage in recent years, perhaps due to consumer trends that champion all things artisanal over those that are prefab.

Examples of bespoke in a Sentence

a wealthy man who can easily afford bespoke suits
Recent Examples on the Web Each of the hotel’s 21 rooms is bespoke, split into four categories, retaining its bourgeois splendor with unique wood ceilings and centuries-old furniture. Katie Jackson, Robb Report, 20 June 2024 Cronenberg is among the most unique and influential filmmakers of his generation an auteur who has created a bespoke brand of intellectual horror with films such as Scanners, Videodrome, The Fly, Crash and A History of Violence. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 June 2024 The latter reference point is particularly evident in the bespoke, durable, and recycled stainless steel hardware—like the elegant strap on the Nox clutch, which brings to mind a vintage watch band. Freya Drohan, Vogue, 17 June 2024 Léonard’s festivals are prized for their gobsmacking mountaintop locations, accessible via ski lifts, and special touches like wood-frame structures, premium liquors and bespoke sound systems. Miles Socha, WWD, 15 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for bespoke 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bespoke.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

past participle of bespeak

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bespoke was in 1607

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Dictionary Entries Near bespoke

Cite this Entry

“Bespoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bespoke. Accessed 27 Jun. 2024.

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