tailor

1 of 2

noun

tai·​lor ˈtā-lər 

: 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

Synonyms

Verb

• adjust
• adapt
• suit
• conform
• put
• customize

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

Buttonholes are piped, and then closed with tailor stitches. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 28 June 2025

Algorithms also predict tumor aggressiveness, helping oncologists tailor chemo or radiation plans to each individual’s biology rather than a population average. —Yidi Xu, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

Verb

Unlike hyperscale cloud, on-prem could provide companies direct control to design efficient, net-zero facilities tailored to their region’s green energy infrastructure. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

This allows advertisers to tailor ads to your household, making your family’s online activities part of your digital profile. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025

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

Phrases Containing tailor

• custom-tailor
• tailor-made

Rhymes for tailor

• bailer
• bailor
• baler
• jailer
• jailor
• paler
• sailer
• sailor
• scalar
• scaler
• trailer
• whaler

Kids Definition

tailor

1 of 2 noun

tai·​lor ˈtā-lər 

: 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