tailor

¹

[tey-ler]

noun

1. a person whose occupation is the making, mending, or altering of clothes, especially suits, coats, and other outer garments.

verb (used with object)

1. to make by tailor's work.

2. to fashion or adapt to a particular taste, purpose, need, etc..

   to tailor one's actions to those of another.

3. to fit or furnish with clothing.

4. Chiefly U.S. Military.,  to make (a uniform) to order; cut (a ready-made uniform) so as to cause to fit more snugly; taper.

verb (used without object)

1. to do the work of a tailor.

tailor

²

[tey-ler]

noun

British Dialect.

1. a stroke of a bell indicating someone's death; knell.

tailor

/ ˈteɪlə /

noun

1. a person who makes, repairs, or alters outer garments, esp menswear

2. a voracious and active marine food fish, Pomatomus saltator, of Australia with scissor-like teeth

verb

1. to cut or style (material, clothes, etc) to satisfy certain requirements

2. (tr) to adapt so as to make suitable for something specific

   he tailored his speech to suit a younger audience

3. (intr) to follow the occupation of a tailor

Word History and Origins

Origin of tailor¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English (noun), from Anglo-French tailour, Old French tailleor, from taill(ier) “to cut” (from Late Latin tāliāre, derivative of Latin tālea “rod, cutting,” literally, “heel-piece”; tally ) + -or -or ²

Origin of tailor²

Alteration by folk etymology of teller

Word History and Origins

Origin of tailor¹

C13: from Anglo-Norman taillour, from Old French taillier to cut, from Latin tālea a cutting; related to Greek talis girl of marriageable age

Example Sentences

The look became the unofficial uniform of the wealthy avant-garde, in a striking contrast with the fitted English tailoring that had dominated menswear for a century.

From Los Angeles Times

He became an expert in how the cloth was constructed, and used his knowledge to perfect the tailoring.

From BBC

But when he faces down a more traditionally shod and tailored adversary, Boy Kavalier unleashes his dogs as negotiating weapons.

From Salon

Clearly, for now, the message is less about abandoning fasting altogether and more about tailoring it to an individual's risk profile.

From BBC

The 64-year-old from Wenvoe, Vale of Glamorgan, said she had "a little bit of a wobble" when she could "put her fist down the back of the dress" but was eventually able to tailor it.

From BBC

Related Words

• accommodate 
• adapt 
• alter 
• conform 
• fit 
• modify