Pronunciation: [buːtˈiːk] (IPA) 
The word "boutique" is spelled with a silent "u" and pronounced as /buːˈtiːk/. The word originates from the French language and has been adopted into English with the same spelling. The phonetic transcription of this word shows the vowel sound "oo" as in "moon" followed by the "t" sound, and then the "ee" sound as in "meet". It refers to a small, specialized store that sells fashionable or unique items, such as clothing or accessories.
A boutique is a small, exclusive, and specialized store that offers a curated selection of fashionable clothing, accessories, or other luxury goods. The term "boutique" is also used to describe an establishment that provides custom-made or personalized products or services.
Typically, boutiques focus on catering to a specific target market or niche, appealing to customers seeking unique and high-quality items that are not commonly found in larger, mainstream retail stores. These stores often prioritize personalized customer service and aim to create an intimate, upscale shopping experience.
In fashion, boutique stores frequently showcase limited quantities of trendy and chic clothing, footwear, and accessories from independent designers or upscale brands. The merchandise in a boutique is carefully curated, ensuring a distinctive and exclusive collection that caters to discerning tastes. Additionally, boutiques may provide personalized styling advice or alterations, allowing customers to achieve a bespoke and tailored look.
Not limited to fashion, boutiques can also specialize in other areas such as beauty products, home decor, art, or gourmet food. These establishments often highlight unique and handcrafted goods, creating a sense of individuality and luxury.
Overall, a boutique offers a distinctive shopping experience, combining specialty products, personalized service, and an ambiance that sets it apart from mainstream retail stores.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "boutique" originated from the Old French word "botique" or "botica", which referred to a small shop or a pharmacy. The Old French term was derived from the Latin word "apotheca", meaning a shop or storehouse. Over time, "boutique" came to refer specifically to a small, specialized shop that offers fashionable or unique items, often in limited quantities, and with a focus on providing a high level of personal service. The term gained popularity in the fashion industry during the 1960s and has since been used to describe various small, trendy shops, typically catering to a niche market.
