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

She traces her relationship with making clothes back to being the eldest child of a seamstress.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

Originally from a poor and mountainous district of Bamiyan, Rahesh worked for five years in construction in Iran, where his wife Marzia was a seamstress.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

"We have invented Mildred, the rebel seamstress from the 11th Century," she says.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025

The only person to show up on the departure date, however, is Ada, 22, a seamstress and house cleaner who is terrified of polar bears.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

The head seamstress glanced at us, brow wrinkled.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz