tailor

Definitions

tail (cut) + -or (one who) = 'one who cuts.' A tailor's defining skill is cutting cloth into the shapes a garment needs — sewing comes after. That image of cutting-to-fit produced the everyday verb: to tailor something is to cut and shape it to fit one specific case, like a suit cut to one body.

Why It Means This

Tailor is the clearest window into this root: it simply means 'cutter.' The modern figurative verb — tailor a plan, a message, a service — keeps the bespoke-suit metaphor alive: you cut something to fit one person or purpose exactly.

Common Collocations

• 1.master tailor资深裁缝
• 2.tailor shop裁缝店
• 3.tailor-made量身定制的
• 4.tailor to使适合……
• 5.have something tailored找人定制某物

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The tailor measured him carefully before cutting the cloth.

• 2.

  Good teachers tailor their lessons to each student's level.

• 3.

  We can tailor the package to fit your budget.

• 4.

  He had his wedding suit tailored by a local shop.