variants
or less commonly bespoken
bi-ˈspō-kən 
bē-
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.” 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 bespeak in a Sentence
Verb
Her newest album bespeaks a great talent for writing songs.
bespoke the rental car weeks in advance of their trip
Adjective
a wealthy man who can easily afford bespoke suits
Recent Examples on the Web
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
1 June 2026
Art What to call objects that bespeak both the three-dimensionality of sculpture and the surface drama of painting?
—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026
All of the landscaping was also bespoke and completely different from the original plans.
—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bespeak
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Maslova said all the furniture in the space will be bespoke and created by artisans in India.
—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
1 June 2026
Art What to call objects that bespeak both the three-dimensionality of sculpture and the surface drama of painting?
—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
They are made by Allertons, a specialist in bespoke jockey racing silks.
—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026
All of the landscaping was also bespoke and completely different from the original plans.
—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bespeak
Cite this Entry
“Bespeak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bespeak. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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