Tailor refers to both the craft of custom clothing and the act of modifying anything to fit specific requirements perfectly.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A professional who makes or repairs fitted clothes.
- To adapt something for a specific person or need.
- Frequently used in business to describe personalized services.
Overview
The word 'tailor' originates from the traditional craft of garment making. While it still refers to the physical act of cutting and sewing fabric to fit a body perfectly, its metaphorical use as a verb has become even more common in modern English. It signifies the act of deliberate adjustment to ensure a perfect fit between a service/product and its user. 2) Usage Patterns: As a noun, 'tailor' is a countable noun (e.g., 'a local tailor'). As a verb, it is transitive and almost always requires an object and a prepositional phrase, typically 'tailor [something] to [someone/something]'. It is frequently used in the passive voice to describe finished products or programs (e.g., 'The software is tailored to your needs'). 3) Common Contexts: In the world of fashion, it refers to bespoke suits and formal wear. In business and marketing, it describes 'tailored solutions' or 'tailored advice,' meaning services that are not one-size-fits-all. In education, teachers 'tailor' their lessons to the proficiency levels of their students. 4) Similar Words Comparison: While 'adapt' means to change something to suit a new environment, 'tailor' implies a more precise, professional, and personalized level of customization. 'Customize' is a close synonym, but 'tailor' often carries a connotation of higher quality or craftsmanship. Unlike 'modify,' which simply means to change slightly, 'tailoring' suggests the change was made specifically with the end-user's unique requirements in mind.
Examples
I need to take this jacket to the tailor because the sleeves are too long.
everydayI need to take this jacket to the tailor because the sleeves are too long.
We can tailor a insurance policy that fits your family's budget.
formalWe can tailor an insurance policy that fits your family's budget.
You should tailor your CV for every job application you send.
informalYou should tailor your CV for every job application you send.
The study was tailored to examine the effects of the drug on elderly patients specifically.
academicThe study was tailored to examine the effects of the drug on elderly patients specifically.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
tailor-made
perfectly suited
tailor to suit
adjust to fit preferences
Often Confused With
A retailer sells products; a tailor makes or modifies them.
Adapt is more general; tailor implies a precise, professional fit for a specific user.
Grammar Patterns
Usage Notes
The verb 'tailor' is highly professional and positive. It suggests care, attention to detail, and premium service. It is rarely used for negative modifications.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is forgetting the preposition 'to' when using the verb. Another mistake is using 'tailor' when 'fix' or 'repair' is more appropriate for general items that aren't clothing.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Tailor' using 'Tape' to measure you. Both start with 'T' and involve making things fit perfectly.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French word 'taillier', which means 'to cut'. This refers to the cutting of cloth to create garments.
Cultural Context
Tailoring is often associated with class and professionalism. In many cultures, owning a tailored suit is a sign of reaching a certain level of career success.
Use 'tailor to' for specific audiences
When using the verb form, always remember to use the preposition 'to' to indicate the recipient of the customization.
Don't confuse with 'retailer'
A tailor makes or fixes clothes; a retailer is a person or business that sells goods to the public.
Savile Row and Bespoke Tailoring
In British culture, Savile Row in London is world-famous for traditional, high-end tailoring where suits are made from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes, it is very common to tailor abstract things like resumes, speeches, or investment plans to fit a specific audience or goal.
Traditionally, a tailor makes structured garments like suits and coats (often for men), while a seamstress works with seams and fabric (often for women's clothing), though the terms are becoming more gender-neutral.
Yes, 'tailored' describes clothing that fits well or a strategy that has been specifically designed for a particular purpose.
It is an idiomatic adjective meaning perfectly suited for a particular person or purpose, originally referring to custom-fitted clothes.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the word.
The company decided to ___ its marketing strategy to attract younger customers.
The infinitive 'to tailor' is needed after the verb 'decided'.
Identify the meaning of 'tailored' in the following sentence.
She wore a beautifully tailored suit to the interview.
In this context, 'tailored' refers to the fit and construction of the garment.
Reorder the words to create a logical sentence.
needs / we / to / tailor / must / our / approach / their
This follows the standard SVO pattern with the 'tailor [something] to [something]' structure.
🎉 Score: /3
Summary
Tailor refers to both the craft of custom clothing and the act of modifying anything to fit specific requirements perfectly.
- A professional who makes or repairs fitted clothes.
- To adapt something for a specific person or need.
- Frequently used in business to describe personalized services.
Use 'tailor to' for specific audiences
When using the verb form, always remember to use the preposition 'to' to indicate the recipient of the customization.
Don't confuse with 'retailer'
A tailor makes or fixes clothes; a retailer is a person or business that sells goods to the public.
Savile Row and Bespoke Tailoring
In British culture, Savile Row in London is world-famous for traditional, high-end tailoring where suits are made from scratch.
Examples
4 of 4I need to take this jacket to the tailor because the sleeves are too long.
I need to take this jacket to the tailor because the sleeves are too long.
We can tailor a insurance policy that fits your family's budget.
We can tailor an insurance policy that fits your family's budget.
You should tailor your CV for every job application you send.
You should tailor your CV for every job application you send.
The study was tailored to examine the effects of the drug on elderly patients specifically.
The study was tailored to examine the effects of the drug on elderly patients specifically.
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