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Apothecaries, Bodegas, and Boutiques
Apothecary, bodega, and boutique may not look very similar, but they are all related both in meaning and in origin. Each of these words can be traced back to a Latin word for “storehouse” (apotheca), and each one refers in English to a retail establishment of some sort. Although bodega initially meant “a storehouse for wine,” it now most commonly refers to a grocery store in an urban area, especially one that specializes in Hispanic groceries. Boutique has also taken on new meanings: its first sense in English (“a small retail store”) is still current, but it now may also denote “a small company that offers highly specialized products or services.” Of the three words, apothecary has changed the least; it has gone from referring solely to the person who sells drugs or medicines to also naming the store where such goods are sold.
Examples of bodega in a Sentence
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2025
Interview 'The Body is Smarter Than the Mind': An Interview with Ottessa Moshfegh
Sarah Hagi
The author of My Year of Rest and Relaxation on writing grief, the role of beauty and shuffling down to the bodega.
—Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 4 Jan. 2025
Strolling in late with snacks from the bodega, Samuel professes confusion about Romy’s intentions by referring to her sartorial messaging.
—Fawnia Soo Hoo, refinery29.com, 25 Dec. 2024
The Panic Alarm Button was first piloted in New York City bodegas in 2023 before expanding nationwide in 2024.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near bodega
Cite this Entry
“Bodega.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bodega. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
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