Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

dressmaker

American  
[dres-mey-ker] / ˈdrɛsˌmeɪ kər /

noun

dressmakers plural
  1. a person whose occupation is the making or alteration of women's dresses, coats, etc.


adjective

  1. (of women's clothing) having soft lines or elaborate detail.

dressmaker British  
/ ˈdrɛsˌmeɪkə /

noun

  1. a person whose occupation is making clothes, esp for women

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Etymology

Origin of dressmaker

First recorded in 1795–1805; dress + maker

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Federal data show the typical annual wage for a dressmaker is about $43,000 a year, but some tailors and seamstresses can make more.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 21, 2026

Santoyo, the dressmaker, said the latest crisis "does bring the community together, helping each other through these tough times."

From Barron's Oct. 13, 2025

In addition to originating the voice of Harley Quinn, Sorkin was known for portraying dressmaker Calliope Jones on “Days of Our Lives.”

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 27, 2023

I designed it, and then I have a dressmaker and a hatmaker who I work with.

From BBC Jun. 28, 2023

The attentions of the maitre d’hotel had opened up a train of thought, and as we drank our coffee I told him about Blaize, the dressmaker.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

For dressmakers and tailors called in for late adjustments, that makes their work on the lace, silk and tulle a high-stakes race.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 25, 2026

As a finalist, she had to compete against five other teen dressmakers for votes.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 19, 2023

Nazare's cobblers, dressmakers and basket-weavers won't find many sales among the surf crowd.

From BBC Mar. 27, 2023

People who have worked at the Lido - from dancers to dressmakers, dressing room staff and backstage technicians - have an unusually personal attachment to the venue.

From Washington Times May 28, 2022

Tailors, dressmakers, and merchants try to woo her with free gifts for her ladies, or offer pastries and champagne.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training