seamstress

American  

[seem-stris, sem-] / ˈsim strɪs, ˈsɛm- /

noun

1. a woman whose occupation is sewing.

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seamstress British  

/ ˈsɛmpstrɪs, ˈsɛmstrɪs /

noun

1. a woman who sews and makes clothes, esp professionally

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Gender

See -ess.

Etymology

Origin of seamstress

First recorded in 1605–15; seamst(e)r + -ess

Explanation

A seamstress is a person whose job involves sewing clothing. You could be a seamstress if you hem your own pants, but most seamstresses work in factories sewing garments using sewing machines. Traditionally, a seamstress was a woman who sewed seams in clothes using a machine, or occasionally by hand. Seamstresses weren't considered as skilled as a dressmaker, who makes custom clothing, or a tailor, who alters clothes to fit a specific person. Each of these titles is a distinct job, but they are commonly used interchangeably. Some people use the newer, unisex term sewist instead of seamstress.

Example Sentences

Seamstress and dress designer Katherine Duncan, the first of the two owners for whom the house is named, bought the lot in 1901 and moved a foursquare cottage to the site.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 24, 2020

This time, though, I'll make sure I pass Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress on.

From The Guardian • Dec. 13, 2012

She translated "The Seamstress and the Wind" by César Aira from the Spanish.

From New York Times • Jul. 13, 2012

Seamstress Gauthier is firm about her craft: "The ball is just the same as it ever was."

From Time Magazine Archive

Seamstress, attendant on the young ladies, keeper of the stores; only "Nurse" was still her name.

From Mary Barton by Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn