tailor

1 of 2

noun

tai·​lor ˈtā-lər How to pronounce tailor (audio)
: a person whose occupation is making or altering garments (such as suits, jackets, and dresses) typically to fit a particular person

tailor

2 of 2

verb

tailored; tailoring; tailors

transitive verb

1
a
: to make or fashion as the work of a tailor
b
: to make or adapt to suit a special need or purpose
2
: to fit with clothes
3
: to style with trim straight lines and finished handwork

intransitive verb

: to do the work of a tailor

Examples of tailor in a Sentence

Verb I had my suit tailored. They tailored the show for younger audiences.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Arthur Entering this handsome Crescent Street atelier-cum-boutique near the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is like stepping into an old-school European tailor shop. Elizabeth Warkentin, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2024 Silencil is tailor made to offer relief to tinnitus by targeting the ears and improving circulation in the brain. Michael Carroll, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024 General Eisenhower himself toured the camp, unaware that a teenage prisoner there would one day become his tailor. Alex Traub, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Augusta National members buy their own jackets, and there are different tiers, tailors and fabrics, depending on price. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024 The beating heart of the exhibition is the room that reproduces the tailoring and workshops of the fashion house, where tailors and artisans will work every Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Pino Gagliardi, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024 It's become difficult to find people for vocational jobs, like being a carpenter, driver or tailor. Yulia Drozd, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2024 While it was made to her measurements, the dress was about two centimeters too big on both sides, which required a tailor to take the gown apart and put it back together, Ostronic said. Andrea Klick, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2024 But the work is reborn whenever Robert Lesser shuffles in as Morry the tailor, whose compassion for Fender overrides his mercantile sense. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
Verb
This may include culinary suggestions tailored to preferences or itinerary recommendations based on specific areas of interest. Annie Archer, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2024 This model connects families with expert tutors tailored to their specific needs, ensuring a perfect fit for each student. Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024 By implementing strategic marketing initiatives and pricing structures tailored to accessories, retailers stand to seize a significant financial opportunity, rather than leaving money on the table for neighboring smoke shops. Harrison Bard, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024 Everything from the naval architecture and engineering to the design and construction has been tailored to the owner, in fact. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024 Prior cases, Jackson said, have determined that search warrants in newsrooms must be narrowly tailored to specific items related to the alleged crime. Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024 The campaign, shot by photographer pair Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott with styling by Jacob K, finds the two wearing pieces from the new line including a leather dress and denim bustier for Hathaway, and a trench and tailored suiting on Murphy. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024 Choice is critical—PBMs offer options that are tailored to what a payer needs. David Joyner, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024 Flat laces in a horizontal bar further tailor the look—the opposite of the crisscross patterns or fastenings of more casual sneakers. Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tailor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English taillour, from Anglo-French taillur, from tailler, taillier to cut, from Late Latin taliare, from Latin talea plant cutting, thin piece of wood

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1719, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of tailor was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near tailor

Cite this Entry

“Tailor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailor. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

tailor

1 of 2 noun
tai·​lor ˈtā-lər How to pronounce tailor (audio)
: a person whose occupation is making or making adjustments in outer garments

tailor

2 of 2 verb
1
: to make or fashion as the work of a tailor
2
: to make or make suitable for a special need or purpose

More from Merriam-Webster on tailor

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