boutique
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a small shop that sells stylish clothes, jewelry, or expensive gifts.
n.a small retail establishment specializing in fashionable clothing, accessories, or luxury goods.
Simple“She bought a unique silk scarf from a little boutique in the city centre.”
In context“The historic district is now lined with high-end boutiques that cater to tourists looking for artisanal crafts and designer labels.”
Antonymsdepartment storesupermarket - 02 C1 Advanced
adj.describing a small company that offers high-quality, specialized services to a small number of people.
adj.relating to a small, specialized business that provides bespoke services or niche products to a limited clientele.
Simple“They hired a boutique marketing agency to help launch their new brand.”
In context“The firm decided to move its assets to a boutique investment bank that offered more personalized wealth management strategies than the larger institutions.”
UsageUsually placed before the noun it describes.
SynonymsAntonymscorporatemass market - 03 C1 Advanced
n.a small film company that only makes a few movies each year.
n.a small-scale film production company or distributor that focuses on a limited number of high-quality or artistic projects annually.
Simple“The director signed a deal with a boutique studio to produce her next documentary.”
In context“While the major studios focused on summer blockbusters, several boutique distributors dominated the independent film circuit this season.”
Synonymsindependent studioindieAntonymsmajor studio
Borrowed from French boutique. Doublet of apotheke and bodega.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.