Word
bespoke
Phoneticsbe·spoke, stress on the second syllable
US/bʊˈspoʊk/
UK/bɪspˈəʊk/
Definitions
01custom-made
C1 · Advanced British English · Formal
adj. made specially for a particular person or customer.
adj. made to a buyer's specific requirements; typically used for high-end tailoring or software solutions.
“He went to a famous tailor in London to get a bespoke suit for his wedding.”
“The firm provides bespoke investment strategies for high-net-worth clients who require more than a standard portfolio.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it describes.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02past tense of bespeak
C2 · Proficiency Literary · Archaic
v. the past tense of 'bespeak', which means to suggest or show something.
v. the simple past tense of 'bespeak', used to indicate that something suggested or gave evidence of a particular quality.
“His quiet confidence bespoke a man who had seen much of the world.”
“The elegant proportions of the manor house bespoke the refined taste of the architect who designed it two centuries ago.”
Real-World Examples
“A bespoke Ferrari Daytona SP3 supercar raised $26m for the carmaker's education initiatives at an auction in 2025.” “Since then, animal transfers need bespoke agreements, often requiring paperwork to be completed between the UK and several European countries.” Etymology
In sense “custom-made”, 1755, from earlier bespoken (c. 1600), form of bespeak, in sense “arrange beforehand” (1580s), a prefixed variant of speak; compare order, made-to-order.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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