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 The bespoke dress featured sheer sleeves, pearl embellishments at the neck and an open cutout at the center of her back. Nicole Briese, Peoplemag, 24 May 2024 Determined to address this gap, Vision Marine engineered a bespoke solution prioritizing security, performance, and user-friendly installation. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 May 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 3 Jun. 2024.

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