# bespoke

/bʊˈspoʊk/ (US) · /bɪspˈəʊk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bespoke
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. custom-made

adjective · CEFR C1 · British English · Formal

made specially for a particular person or customer.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. past tense of bespeak

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

the past tense of 'bespeak', which means to suggest or show something.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He wears a bespoke suit to every wedding.
- The agency provides bespoke marketing strategies for small businesses that cannot use standard advertising packages.
- While off-the-shelf software is cheaper, many large corporations prefer bespoke solutions that can be integrated seamlessly into their existing legacy systems without requiring massive workflow changes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.