tailor
TAY-luh
Tailor (noun) means a person who professionally makes, fits, or alters clothing, especially suits. Example: “The tailor took his measurements for a new suit.”
noun
1
A person who professionally makes, fits, or alters clothing, especially suits.
"The tailor took his measurements for a new suit."
"My grandfather worked as a tailor and shortened trousers for the whole village."
"The tailor pinned the hem of her dress and asked her to stand still."
verb
1
To adjust or design something to suit a particular need or purpose.
"The trainer tailored the workout plan to her fitness level."
"The company tailors its marketing to each region."
"Good teachers tailor their lessons to the needs of each class."
How to use tailor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who makes or fits clothes for a living, or (as a verb) to custom-fit something to a specific need.
Common pairings
a bespoke tailor
tailor a suit
tailor an approach
tailored to your needs
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Word forms
- Plural
- tailors
- Third person singular
- tailors
- Past tense
- tailored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ took his measurements for a new suit.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman taillour, ultimately from Latin tālea ("a cutting"), reflecting the trade's origin in cutting cloth.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for tailor
See all rhymes for tailor →Frequently asked questions
What does “tailor” mean?
The word “tailor” means a person who professionally makes, fits, or alters clothing, especially suits. In plain terms, someone who makes or fits clothes for a living, or (as a verb) to custom-fit something to a specific need.
How do you pronounce “tailor”?
“Tailor” is pronounced TAY-luh (/ˈteɪlɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tailor” in a sentence?
Here is “tailor” used in a sentence: “The tailor took his measurements for a new suit.”
What part of speech is “tailor”?
Depending on how it is used, “tailor” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “tailor” come from?
The word “tailor” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman taillour, ultimately from Latin tālea ("a cutting"), reflecting the trade's origin in cutting cloth.
Is “tailor” a common word?
“Tailor” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “tailor” have?
“Tailor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who professionally makes, fits, or alters clothing, especially suits.
What is the difference between a tailor and a seamstress?
A tailor is a person who professionally makes, fits, or alters clothing, especially suits, and the term traditionally applies to both men and women in the trade. Seamstress specifically refers to a woman who sews, often working on a wider range of garments rather than specializing in structured tailoring like suits. Tailor emphasizes fitting and construction skill, particularly for formal wear.
What does it mean to tailor something to someone's needs?
As a verb, to tailor something means to adjust or design it to suit a particular need or purpose, such as tailoring a presentation to a specific audience. This figurative use extends the clothing sense of custom fitting to plans, services, or products.
Is tailor used only for clothing?
No, while the noun sense refers specifically to someone who makes or alters clothing, the verb sense of tailor is used broadly across business, education, and services to describe customizing something for a specific purpose or audience.
