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 of tailor

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

Ives, who introduced menswear last season, plans to pay homage to the institution through his continuation in the category, this time in the form of two men’s suits, semi-ironically made in collaboration with Savile Row tailor Gieves & Hawkes. — Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2026

French tailor Herman Bergdorf launches Bergdorf’s on Fifth Avenue at 19th Street. — David Moin, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026

Verb

Canada instead wants a partnership tailored to its priorities, with investment at its core. — Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026

One subject, the podcaster Andrew Gold, begins tailoring his content to anti-woke audiences, racking up huge numbers by playing to the preexisting grievances of his angry followers. — Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

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