tailor

¹ American  

[tey-ler] / ˈteɪ lər /

noun

1. a person whose occupation is the making, mending, or altering of clothes, especially suits, coats, and other outer garments.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to make by tailor's work.

2. to fashion or adapt to a particular taste, purpose, need, etc..

   to tailor one's actions to those of another.

3. to fit or furnish with clothing.

4. Chiefly U.S. Military. to make (a uniform) to order; cut (a ready-made uniform) so as to cause to fit more snugly; taper.

verb (used without object)

1. to do the work of a tailor.

tailor ² American  

[tey-ler] / ˈteɪ lər /

noun

British Dialect.

1. a stroke of a bell indicating someone's death; knell.

---

tailor British  

/ ˈteɪlə /

noun

1. a person who makes, repairs, or alters outer garments, esp menswear

2. a voracious and active marine food fish, Pomatomus saltator, of Australia with scissor-like teeth

---

verb

1. to cut or style (material, clothes, etc) to satisfy certain requirements

2. (tr) to adapt so as to make suitable for something specific

   he tailored his speech to suit a younger audience

3. (intr) to follow the occupation of a tailor

Etymology

Origin of tailor¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English (noun), from Anglo-French tailour, Old French tailleor, from taill(ier) “to cut” (from Late Latin tāliāre, derivative of Latin tālea “rod, cutting,” literally, “heel-piece”; tally ) + -or -or ²

Origin of tailor²

Alteration by folk etymology of teller

Example Sentences

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the changes would mean families get "tailored support built around their child's individual needs, available on their doorstep".

From BBC

Unlike a target-date fund, which adjusts allocations based largely on age, a managed account incorporates salary, contribution rate and account balance to tailor both investments and savings recommendations.

From MarketWatch

To succeed, Starbucks must pull off a delicate balancing act: revive the classic coffeehouse atmosphere while reminding customers that it also offers an entirely different universe of beverages and snacks tailored to the afternoon.

From The Wall Street Journal

McKinnon’s time on the ice that taught her how to create fashion for an athlete tailored for movement and aesthetic appeal.

From Los Angeles Times

"Spring flowers, tailoring and embroidery," reads a sign outside Alavi's small store, which opened in January after a months-long search for work.

From Barron's

Related Words

• accommodate
• adapt
• alter
• conform
• fit
• modify