The word 'boutique' originally came from Greek as 'apothēkē 3'

'Boutique' is a word borrowed from Greek 'apothēkē 3'. The word entered the English language some time around 1767.

boutique [noun] [1767]

• a small fashionable shop
• a small shop within a large department store
• a small company that offers highly specialized services or products

Meaning: a small fashionable shop; a small shop within a large department store; a small company that offers highly specialized services or products boutique wineries an independent investment boutique.

Etymology: French; shop; probably from Old Occitan botica; ultimately from Greek apotheke storehouse apothecary.

Topics: Economy:Trade.

Origin: From French to Latin to Italian to English.

note: Evolution: Passed from Latin apotheca into Italian (bottega meaning a shop or workshop) and then into French (boutique meaning a small shop). English Entry: Borrowed from French into English in the 20th century to denote a small fashionable retail store eventually expanding to describe specialized services or goods.

See 'boutique' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Greek.

See more loan words from 1700s.