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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The players have had media and UEFA access days, a photoshoot with official team tailor Marks & Spencer, deliveries of personalised shin pads with their number and group games printed on the front and a visit from UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on June 19. Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 4 July 2025 Romualdo Pelle, a 90-year-old Italian immigrant and master tailor who founded the store in 1968, is still active in the business. Randy Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Verb
Instead of aiming for Pinterest perfection, focus first on storing things to be accessible and tailored to your lifestyle. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2025 Brutal bareknuckle fighting returns on Saturday night with BKFC 78 Hollywood: Perdomo vs. Adams, in an event tailored to the most hardcore of fight fans. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for tailor

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

Cite this Entry

“Tailor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailor. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!