tailor
/ˈteɪlə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈteɪlər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtā-lər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈteɪ.lər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈteɪ.lɚ/ (ame, ipa)
tailor — noun
- tailorsingular
- tailorsplural
1. Someone who makes, repairs, or alters clothing so that garments fit a particular
Someone who makes, repairs, or alters clothing so that garments fit a particular person's body well. Tailors commonly create suits, formal jackets, coats, and trousers for individual customers.
Lakan took his suit to the tailor because the sleeves were too long.
to the tailor — bringing clothes for adjustment
The tailor measured Élise's shoulders before cutting the dark grey fabric.
Nia worked with an experienced tailor in Taipei to learn traditional suit-making.
After twenty years as a tailor, Felipe could judge a person's size at a glance.
- dressmaker
usually makes women's clothing rather than men's suits
- seamstress
female-specific term, often for sewing rather than full garment construction
- couturier
high-fashion designer, a more elite and creative role than a tailor
文法句型
a tailor
the tailor
用法筆記
A tailor usually works with men's clothing, while a dressmaker typically works with women's clothing. In modern use, these roles often overlap.
常見錯誤
tailor — verb
- tailorpresent simple I / you / we / they
- tailors3rd person singular
- tailoring-ing form
- tailoredpast simple
1. To change or design something so that it fits a particular need, situation, or g
To change or design something so that it fits a particular need, situation, or group of people. For example, a company might tailor its products for younger customers, or a teacher might tailor a lesson for beginners.
The university tailors its business courses to meet the needs of local companies.
tailor + to + infinitive — adapting for a purpose
Vivek tailored his résumé to match the job description before applying.
The app lets users tailor their news feed to show only topics they like.
Rachel tailored the training plan to suit each runner's fitness level and goals.
The hotel can tailor your stay with special meals and guided tours.
- adapt
broader in meaning; can apply to any kind of change, not just purposeful customisation
- customise
more common in technology and product contexts; slightly informal
- modify
suggests a smaller or more technical change than 'tailor'
- adjust
can mean fine-tuning rather than full redesign; less purposeful than 'tailor'
- standardise
to make everything the same rather than adapting to individual needs
文法句型
tailor something to something
tailor something to do something
be tailored for someone
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive form: 'The programme is tailored to individual needs.' The object is often an abstract thing such as a service, product, plan, or course.
常見錯誤
2. To produce pieces of clothing by cutting and sewing fabric, especially when this
To produce pieces of clothing by cutting and sewing fabric, especially when this is done as a skilled job for individual customers.
Aoi learned to tailor her own clothes at a summer workshop in Kyoto.
tailor + own clothes — learning the skill
The designer tailors each wedding dress by hand in her small studio.
Jude tailors suits for clients who want a perfect fit and premium fabric.
Kabir spent three years learning how to tailor traditional silk jackets.
- sew
a more general term; not limited to the complete construction of a garment
- make (clothes)
less specific; does not carry the professional or fitted connotation of 'tailor'
文法句型
tailor + clothes
tailor something for someone
用法筆記
This sense overlaps closely with the noun 'tailor'. It emphasises the hands-on action of cutting, sewing, and fitting rather than the profession as a whole.