bodega

[ boh-dey-guh; Spanish baw-the-gah ]

noun

, plural bo·de·gas [boh-, dey, -g, uh, z, baw-, the, -gahs].

1. a small, independent or family-owned grocery store, usually located in a densely populated urban environment, traditionally serving a Hispanic clientele.
2. (in Spain)
   1. a wineshop.
   2. a warehouse for storing or aging wines.

bodega

/ boˈðeɣa; bəʊˈdiːɡə /

noun

1. a shop selling wine and sometimes groceries, esp in a Spanish-speaking country

Word History and Origins

Origin of bodega¹

First recorded in 1845–50 bodega fordef 2; 1965–70 bodega fordef 1; from Latin American Spanish, Spanish “wine cellar, wine shop,” from Latin apothēca “storehouse”; apothecary

Word History and Origins

Origin of bodega¹

C19: from Spanish, ultimately from Greek apothēkē storehouse, from apotithenai to store, put away

Example Sentences

My girlfriend and I wrapped up at a corner bodega, where we recovered from the 70-something-degree weather with cold drinks, and spoke to people coming in.

From Salon

He stopped in to chat with the owner of a tiny Harlem bodega.

From New York Times

What used to be a thriving street of galleries, bookstores, coffee shops, bodegas, and architecture and law firms has dwindled to a few retail spaces not able to hold regular hours.

From Seattle Times

Last month, in his first campaign stop since the start of the trial, Mr. Trump visited a bodega in Harlem, attacking the district attorney prosecuting him and casting himself as tough on crime.

From New York Times

"What was discussed was the power of the National Enquirer being at the cash register of so many supermarkets and bodegas," Cohen said.

From Salon

Related Words

• convenience store
• supermarket