WordGarden.io

tailor

C1
Fairly common

Pronunciation

UK

  • /tˈeɪlə/

US

  • /ˈteɪlər/

Meanings

Noun

  1. a person whose job is making or altering clothes

Verb

  1. to make, cut, or alter clothes to fit someone

  2. to make or adapt something for a particular person, purpose, or situation

Beyond the definition

A tailor is not just someone who makes clothes, though they certainly can. A tailor is a skilled worker who adjusts clothes to fit you well or creates new pieces made for your body and style. Think of a custom suit made to look good on the person wearing it; that is the mark of a tailor.

The word "tailor" originally referred to someone who cut cloth, from the Old French "tailler," meaning "to cut." Today, though, it means more than just cutting. It suggests care, skill, and making something fit a particular person or purpose. You might say a politician "tailors" a message for different voters, or a chef "tailors" a recipe for dietary needs. In both cases, the idea is the same: changing something so it fits better.

Examples

  1. 1

    Clothing repair

    She took the coat to a tailor to have the sleeves shortened.

  2. 2

    Suit fitting

    The suit was tailored to fit him properly.

  3. 3

    Beginner course

    The course is tailored to beginners, so you don't need any experience.

    • Patterntailor something to + person/situation

      make it fit that person or situation

  4. 4

    Teaching

    Good teachers tailor their lessons to the needs of the class.

More examples
  1. 5

    Advertising

    We tailored the ad campaign for young parents.

    • Patterntailor something for + person/group

      make it especially for that person or group

  2. 6

    Business solution

    The company is looking for a tailor-made solution rather than a standard package.

    • Phrasetailor-made

      specially designed for a particular purpose

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Do not confuse

  • Taylor

Used with (collocations)

  • tailor-made suit
  • go to a tailor
  • tailor's shop
  • have something tailored

Word family

Explore

Forms and spellings

4 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • tailornounverb

Forms

  • tailoredpast tenseverbnoun
  • tailoring-ing formverbnoun
  • tailorspluralnounverb