Taylor
Taylor (name) means a common English and Scottish surname, originally an occupational name for someone who made or altered clothes (a tailor). Example: “The Taylor family has run a clothing shop in the village for three generations.”
How to Use Taylor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA surname and first name that comes from the old trade of tailoring.
Don't confuse the surname Taylor with the everyday word tailor (someone who makes clothes) — they share the same origin but are spelled differently.
Word Forms
Taylors plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ family has run a clothing shop in the village for three generations.
Etymology
From the occupation "tailor" — someone who cuts and sews clothing — spelled with a y instead of an i.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Taylor
See all rhymes for Taylor →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Taylor” mean?
The word “Taylor” means a common English and Scottish surname, originally an occupational name for someone who made or altered clothes (a tailor). In plain terms, a surname and first name that comes from the old trade of tailoring.
How do you pronounce “Taylor”?
“Taylor” is pronounced TAY-luh (/ˈteɪ.lɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Taylor” in a sentence?
Here is “Taylor” used in a sentence: “The Taylor family has run a clothing shop in the village for three generations.”
What part of speech is “Taylor”?
“Taylor” is a name.
Is “Taylor” a common word?
“Taylor” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Taylor” have?
“Taylor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a common English and Scottish surname, originally an occupational name for someone who made or altered clothes (a tailor).
What is the difference between Taylor and tailor?
They sound identical but differ in meaning and use. 'Tailor' is the common noun for a person who makes or alters clothing. 'Taylor' is the proper-noun spelling used as a surname or first name. The name actually derives from the occupation, so despite the different spellings the two words share a single origin.
Where does the surname Taylor come from?
Taylor is an occupational surname from medieval England and Scotland, given to someone who worked as a tailor — cutting and sewing garments for a living. It comes through the Old French 'tailleur,' from a Latin root meaning 'to cut.' Today it remains one of the most common surnames in the English-speaking world.
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