Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense tailors, present participle tailoring, past tense, past participle tailored
1. countable noun
A tailor is a person whose job is to make men's clothes.
Synonyms: outfitter [old-fashioned], couturier, dressmaker, seamstress More Synonyms of tailor
2. verb
If you tailor something such as a plan or system to someone's needs, you make it suitable for a particular person or purpose by changing the details of it.
We can tailor the program to the patient's needs. [VERB noun + to]
Local forces tried to tailor their policing style to increase public confidence. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
...scripts tailored to American comedy audiences. [VERB-ed]
[Also VERB noun]
Synonyms: adapt, adjust, modify, cut More Synonyms of tailor
tailor in British English
(ˈteɪlə)
noun
1.
a person who makes, repairs, or alters outer garments, esp menswear
▶ Related adjective: sartorial
2.
a voracious and active marine food fish, Pomatomus saltator, of Australia with scissor-like teeth
verb
3.
to cut or style (material, clothes, etc) to satisfy certain requirements
4. (transitive)
to adapt so as to make suitable for something specific
he tailored his speech to suit a younger audience
5. (intransitive)
to follow the occupation of a tailor
Word origin
C13: from Anglo-Norman taillour, from Old French taillier to cut, from Latin tālea a cutting; related to Greek talis girl of marriageable age
tailor in American English
(ˈteɪlər)
noun
1.
a person who makes, repairs, or alters clothes, esp. suits and coats
verb intransitive
2.
to work as a tailor
verb transitive
3.
a.
to make (clothes) by tailor's work
b.
to fit or provide (a person) with clothes made by a tailor
4.
a.
to make by cutting and sewing to fit a particular thing
b.
to cut, form, or alter so as to meet certain conditions
a novel tailored to popular taste
5.
to fashion (women's garments) with trim, simple lines like those of men's clothes
Word origin
ME < OFr tailleor < taillier, to cut, decide, fix < VL taliare, to split, cut, orig. prob. to prune < L talea, a stick, twig, scion < IE base *tal-, to grow, sprout > ON thǫll, young fir
Examples of 'tailor' in a sentence
tailor
Equally suited to tailoring or jeans.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The pitches were tailored to suit the home team, rough and abrasive and responsive to spin.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some men set up a tailoring shop.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Training is individually tailored and enables senior staff to impart their knowledge first hand.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
My partner asks if we can have the name of your tailor.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We also tailor our service to the client.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Make sure your tailoring has box and razor pleats.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You can make them look businesslike by adding a sharply tailored jacket and wedges.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The diet can be tailored to suit your tastes and needs.
The Sun (2015)
Each is tailored to specific local needs.
The Sun (2011)
We clicked and he tailored a workout programme for me.
The Sun (2016)
The idea is to offer service tailored to each guest.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The dark blue jacket was smartly tailored.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The two work alongside each other to tailor a programme for each individual.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Talk to your local university and discuss how it can tailor its services to your business.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It also helps you tailor an exercise programme and gives feedback on progress.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
My tailor adapted the jacket by putting air holes under the arms and deep vents at the back.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Then she tells a story about her brother, obviously tailored for this audience.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
His costumes are being made by the same tailor who designs clothes for rockers Kasabian.
The Sun (2012)
The next step involves devising a three-month programme that is individually tailored to suit your needs.
Sedgbeer, Sandra The A-Z of Beauty Treatment (1994)
There is no one-size-fits-all diet and each eating plan is tailored individually.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He explains that the company tailors to suit local preferences, but admits tastes are changing.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
A diet plan you tailor to make your own.
The Sun (2015)
The clinic offers a range of programmes, courses and workshops for patients as well as individually tailored care plans.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It has signed deals with five countries, tailored to local requirements, with others pending.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Word lists with
tailor
Types of fish
In other languages
tailor
British English: tailor /ˈteɪlə/ NOUN
A tailor is a person who makes clothes, especially for men.
American English: tailor
Arabic: خَيِّاط
Brazilian Portuguese: alfaiate
Chinese: 裁缝
Croatian: krojač
Czech: krejčí
Danish: skrædder
Dutch: kleermaker
European Spanish: sastre
Finnish: räätäli
French: tailleur
German: Schneider
Greek: ράφτης
Italian: sarto
Japanese: テーラー
Korean: 재봉사
Norwegian: skredder
Polish: krawiec
European Portuguese: alfaiate
Romanian: croitor
Russian: портной
Latin American Spanish: sastre
Swedish: skräddare
Thai: ช่างตัดเสื้อ
Turkish: terzi
Ukrainian: кравець
Vietnamese: thợ may
British English: tailor VERB
If you tailor something such as a plan or system to someone's needs, you make it suitable for a particular person or purpose by changing the details of it.
We can tailor the programme to the patient's needs.
American English: tailor
Brazilian Portuguese: fazer sob medida
Chinese: 调整
European Spanish: adecuar
French: adapter
German: anpassen
Italian: adattare
Japanese: 目的に合わせる
Korean: 요구에 맞추어 만들다
European Portuguese: fazer sob medida
Latin American Spanish: adecuar
All related terms of 'tailor'
tailor's
a shop where clothes can be repaired or altered
tailor-made
If something is tailor-made , it has been specially designed for a particular person or purpose.
tailor-make
If someone tailor-makes something for you, they make or design it to suit your requirements.
tailor's chalk
pipeclay used by tailors and dressmakers to mark seams , darts , etc, on material
tailor's dummy
a mannequin used to help tailor or fit clothes
tailor's-tack
one of a series of loose looped stitches used to transfer markings for seams , darts , etc, from a paper pattern to material
tack
A tack is a short nail with a broad , flat head, especially one that is used for fastening carpets to the floor .
Chinese translation of 'tailor'
tailor
(ˈteɪləʳ)
n(c)
(= person) 裁缝(縫) (cáifeng) (个(個), gè)
(also tailor's) 裁缝(縫)店 (cáifengdiàn) (个(個), gè)
vt
to tailor sth (to)修改某物(以适(適)应(應)) (xiūgǎi mǒuwù (yǐ shìyìng))
(noun)
Definition
a person who makes, repairs, or alters outer garments, esp. menswear
a tailor who specialized in making ceremonial uniforms
Synonyms
outfitter (old-fashioned)
J. Hepworth, the men's outfitter
couturier
dressmaker
She used to be a dressmaker.
seamstress
clothier
costumier
garment maker
(verb)
Definition
to adapt (something) so as to make it suitable
scripts tailored to American comedy audiences
Synonyms
adapt
Shelves were built to adapt the library for use as an office.
adjust
Liz adjusted her mirror and edged the car out.
modify
They agreed to modify their recruitment policy.
cut
Geometric motifs are cut into the stone walls.
style
classically styled clothes
fit
She was having her wedding dress fitted.
fashion
A hat fashioned to flatter the face.
shape
suit
‘I'm off.’ He suited the action to the word and left.
convert
By converting the loft, they were able to have two extra bedrooms.
alter
They have never altered their programmes.
accommodate
She walked slowly to accommodate herself to his pace.
mould
We moulded a statue out of mud.
customize
related words
related adjectivesartorial
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accommodate
Definition
to adjust or become adjusted; to adapt
She walked slowly to accommodate herself to his pace.
Synonyms
adapt,
match,
fit,
fashion,
settle,
alter,
adjust,
modify,
compose,
comply,
accustom,
reconcile,
harmonize
in the sense of adjust
Definition
to alter slightly, so as to be accurate or suitable
Liz adjusted her mirror and edged the car out.
Synonyms
modify,
arrange,
fix,
tune (up),
alter,
adapt,
remodel,
tweak (informal),
customize
in the sense of alter
Definition
to make or become different
They have never altered their programmes.
Synonyms
modify,
change,
reform,
shift,
vary,
transform,
adjust,
adapt,
revise,
amend,
diversify,
remodel,
tweak (informal),
recast,
reshape,
metamorphose,
transmute
Synonyms of 'tailor'
tailor
Explore 'tailor' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of convert
Definition
to change or adapt
By converting the loft, they were able to have two extra bedrooms.
Synonyms
adapt,
modify,
remodel,
reorganize,
customize,
restyle
in the sense of cut
Definition
to form or shape by cutting
Geometric motifs are cut into the stone walls.
Synonyms
shape,
carve,
engrave,
chisel,
form,
score,
fashion,
chip,
sculpture,
whittle,
sculpt,
inscribe,
hew (old-fashioned)
in the sense of dressmaker
Definition
a person who makes clothes for women
She used to be a dressmaker.
Synonyms
seamstress,
tailor,
couturier,
modiste
in the sense of fashion
A hat fashioned to flatter the face.
Synonyms
fit,
adapt,
tailor,
suit,
adjust,
accommodate
in the sense of fit
Definition
to adjust in order to make appropriate
She was having her wedding dress fitted.
Synonyms
adapt,
fashion,
shape,
arrange,
alter,
tailor,
adjust,
modify,
tweak (informal),
customize
in the sense of modify
Definition
to change or alter slightly
They agreed to modify their recruitment policy.
Synonyms
change,
reform,
vary,
convert,
transform,
alter,
adjust,
adapt,
revise,
remodel,
rework,
tweak (informal),
reorganize,
recast,
reshape,
redo,
refashion
in the sense of mould
Definition
to shape or form
We moulded a statue out of mud.
Synonyms
shape,
make,
work,
form,
create,
model,
fashion,
cast,
stamp,
construct,
carve,
forge,
sculpt
in the sense of shape
Definition
to devise or develop
Synonyms
develop,
plan,
prepare,
guide,
define,
convert,
adapt,
modify,
regulate,
devise,
accommodate,
remodel
in the sense of style
Definition
to design, shape, or tailor
classically styled clothes
Synonyms
design,
cut,
tailor,
fashion,
shape,
arrange,
adapt
in the sense of suit
‘I'm off.’ He suited the action to the word and left.