bespoke

USAGE SUMMARY

"bespoke" is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
It is usually used to mean something that is custom-made or tailored to a particular person's requirements. For example, you might say "The company offers a bespoke design service to create holiday cards personalized to each customer's needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only then can you answer the question: "Is it time to review our brand?" Do it for the right reasons Every brand review is bespoke.

The Guardian

It's to do with his black-framed glasses and the bespoke navy suits he wears over open-necked shirts.

The Guardian - Film

He built a bespoke jet pipe that could jink past the rear wheel and added an afterburner to give the extra kick needed.

The Guardian - Tech

Iron Maiden have their own giant zombie robot, three lead guitarists and a bespoke bottled beer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our supportive staff can help to assess your training needs and construct a bespoke programme to fit your objectives.

The Guardian

Third-party developers are expected to embrace the new platform in a similar manner to the iPhone and iPad, creating bespoke software for the timepiece.

The Guardian - Tech

CarPlay requires special, bespoke equipment supporting Apple's iPhone to be fitted into cars, which means that car manufacturers will have to build it in at the factory.

The Guardian - Tech

You don't have to go full bespoke to get a good one.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We also offer further bespoke Data Visualisation training for teams – click here for more information.

The Guardian

By working together to share data and formats, these traditionally competitive organisations are able to offer brands bespoke automated advertising solutions which complement the publishers' existing digital commercial proposition.

The Guardian

With an MRI scanner, a bespoke finger-pulling device, and a gifted and willing knuckle-cracker, they set about recording the first video footage of the innards of a knuckle being cracked.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bespoke" when you want to emphasize the custom and high-quality nature of a product or service. It conveys a sense of exclusivity and attention to detail.

Common error

Avoid using "bespoke" simply as a synonym for "custom". "Bespoke" often implies a higher level of craftsmanship and personalization, especially in fields like tailoring or software development. If the customization is minor or standard, "custom" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bespoke" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that they are custom-made or tailored to specific requirements. As Ludwig AI suggests, the word highlights the personalization of the modified noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bespoke" functions as an adjective denoting custom-made or highly personalized items or services. As noted by Ludwig AI, it implies a greater level of customization and craftsmanship than the word "custom". Predominantly found in news, formal business settings, and design contexts, it conveys exclusivity and attention to detail. While alternatives like "custom made" or "tailor made" exist, "bespoke" retains a unique connotation of high-end, individualized service. Avoid using it loosely for minor customizations to maintain its intended impact. Due to the large number of examples, the word is classified as very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

custom made

Emphasizes the act of creating something according to individual specifications.

tailor-made

Highlights the adaptation of something to fit particular requirements, similar to how a tailor alters clothing.

customized

Focuses on modifying something to suit individual preferences or needs.

made to order

Indicates that something is created specifically when an order is placed, ensuring it meets the customer's exact requirements.

specially designed

Stresses that something was created for a specific purpose or function.

personalized

Highlights the adaptation of something to an individual's unique characteristics or preferences.

unique

Indicates that something is one of a kind and not mass-produced.

individualized

Similar to personalized, but with a stronger emphasis on catering to the specific needs of a single person.

adapted

Implies a modification to fit specific conditions or requirements.

purpose-built

Highlights that something was constructed with a specific objective in mind.

FAQs

How to use "bespoke" in a sentence?

"Bespoke" is typically used as an adjective to describe something custom-made or tailored to specific requirements. For example, "The company offers a "bespoke design" service for its clients."

What can I say instead of "bespoke"?

You can use alternatives like "custom made", "tailor made", or "customized" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "bespoke" or "custom"?

Both "bespoke" and "custom" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Bespoke" implies a higher degree of personalization and craftsmanship, often associated with tailoring. "Custom" is a more general term for something made to order.

What's the difference between "bespoke" and "tailored"?

"Bespoke" and "tailored" are similar, but "bespoke" suggests a more comprehensive customization process, where the item is made from scratch to the client's exact specifications. "Tailored" can also refer to alterations made to an existing item to improve its fit.