tailor

1 of 2

noun

tai·​lor ˈtā-lər How to pronounce tailor (audio)
Synonyms of tailor
: 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

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Verb

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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 downtown store regularly hosts Japanese tailors for trunk shows, and its unpretentious staff warmly guides customers through suits from a house line made by Ring Jacket. — New York Times, 31 July 2026 Precision medicine, which personalizes medicine and tailors care to the individual, has become the mainstay of healthcare. — Versha Pleasant, The Conversation, 30 July 2026
Verb
The Kansas City-area college also offers an AI certificate and is making plans to tailor AI classes to specific occupations, such as human resources and medical careers. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 Their program is then tailored accordingly, while factoring in nuances up to scheme changes. — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 31 July 2026 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

Phrases Containing tailor

Rhymes for tailor

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Browse Nearby Words

tail of the eye
tailor
tailor's chair
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tailor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailor. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of tailor for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tailor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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