tailor-made
Americanadjective
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custom-made; made-to-order; made-to-measure.
an expensive tailor-made suit.
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fashioned to a particular taste, purpose, demand, etc..
a musical comedy tailor-made for the popular audience.
noun
adjective
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made by a tailor to fit exactly
a tailor-made suit
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perfectly meeting a particular purpose
a girl tailor-made for him
noun
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a tailor-made garment
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slang a cigarette made in a factory rather than rolled by hand
Usage
What does tailor-made mean? Tailor-made means made to fit the needs or specifications of a particular situation, object, or person—or seeming as though it was made that way. In its most literal sense, tailor-made is used to describe a piece of clothing made by a tailor, especially a suit. A tailor-made garment like this is made specifically to the measurements of the person that it’s for so that it fits them perfectly. This means that it’s one of a kind, as opposed to clothes that are produced in general sizes (often described as ready-to-wear or off-the-rack). But describing something as tailor-made doesn’t necessarily mean it was made by a tailor. Things other than clothing can be tailor-made. In many cases, it’s simply another way of saying it was custom-made—made to unique specifications. Sometimes, the term is used to describe something as seemingly a perfect fit for a person or a situation, even though that thing has not been made specifically for them or even made at all, as in Today’s weather is tailor-made for this hike. Tailor-made can also be used as the past tense of the verb tailor-make, meaning to make in a way that fits a specific situation, as in They didn’t have the replacement part I needed, so I tailor-made one. Less commonly, tailor-made can be used as a noun referring to a tailor-made item, as in Here is my collection of tailor-mades. Example: Each student will follow a tailor-made curriculum that’s designed to meet their individual needs.
Etymology
Origin of tailor-made
First recorded in 1825–35
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.
But if you want a similarly tailor-made representative in government, the choice is yours.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026
The distinction is reserved for "exceptional" five-star hotels that meet a dozen criteria, including a prime location, tailor-made service, and "legendary status linked to historical significance or famous guests".
From Barron's ● Jun. 2, 2026
A sizable firepit in the yard itself looks tailor-made for family game nights or s’mores sessions, and is surrounded by a lush green lawn and elegant landscaping.
From MarketWatch ● May 27, 2026
Google's parent company owns YouTube, with which the BBC recently announced a landmark deal to create tailor-made content.
From BBC ● Mar. 25, 2026
Most such tailor-made systems modify existing alphabets, though some instead design syllabaries.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
