tailor

tailor — noun

1. Someone who makes, repairs, or alters clothing so that garments fit a particular

1.nounB1
Definition

Someone who makes, repairs, or alters clothing so that garments fit a particular person's body well. Tailors commonly create suits, formal jackets, coats, and trousers for individual customers.

Example

Lakan took his suit to the tailor because the sleeves were too long.

to the tailor — bringing clothes for adjustment

The tailor measured Élise's shoulders before cutting the dark grey fabric.

Common collocations
  • a tailor shop
  • go to the tailor
  • have something made by a tailor
  • bespoke tailor
Synonyms
  • dressmaker

    usually makes women's clothing rather than men's suits

  • seamstress

    female-specific term, often for sewing rather than full garment construction

  • couturier

    high-fashion designer, a more elite and creative role than a tailor

Grammar Patterns

a tailor

the tailor

Usage Note

A tailor usually works with men's clothing, while a dressmaker typically works with women's clothing. In modern use, these roles often overlap.

Common Mistakes

The tailor fixed my television.
The tailor fixed the torn lining of my coat.
a tailor works with clothing, not electronics or household items.

tailor — verb

Word family

  • tailored
    adjectiveB2
  • tailoring
    nounC1
  • tailor-made
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

These four words all describe changing something, but they differ in purpose and scope. 'Tailor' implies a careful, intentional redesign to meet a specific need — like a teacher tailoring a course for a particular class. 'Adapt' is broader, covering any change that helps something work in a new environment (e.g., adapting a novel for film). 'Customise' is common in technology and consumer products, suggesting personal preference rather than functional necessity. 'Modify' suggests a smaller, often technical alteration. 'Adjust' implies fine-tuning rather than a structural change. For example, you adjust the temperature on a thermostat, but you tailor a training programme to an athlete's strengths.

adapt ↗customise ↗modify ↗adjust ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • tailor-made
  • tailor something to fit
  • tailor something to suit

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'tailor' comes from the Old French 'tailleur', meaning 'one who cuts', which in turn came from the Latin 'taliare' ('to cut'). This makes sense — a tailor's core skill is cutting fabric to shape. The figurative verb sense (adapting something to a need) appeared in English around the early 1600s, moving from cutting cloth to 'cutting' a plan or service to fit a situation.