English Reference

Word

tailoring

Phoneticstai·lor·ing

US/ˈteɪɫɝɪŋ/

UK/tˈeɪləɹɪŋ/

Definition

n. the skill or business of making clothes that fit a specific person perfectly. It also means changing something so it works better for a particular need.

n. the activity or trade of a tailor, specifically the professional cutting and sewing of garments to individual specifications. Often used metaphorically to describe the customisation of services or products to meet specific requirements.

Examples

“The suit is a fine example of expert tailoring.”

“The software company offers extensive tailoring of its interface to suit the specific workflow of each client.”

“While mass-produced garments are affordable, they lack the structural integrity and precise fit achieved through traditional bespoke tailoring.”

Examples

simple

“The suit is a fine example of expert tailoring.”

contextual

“The software company offers extensive tailoring of its interface to suit the specific workflow of each client.”

complex

“While mass-produced garments are affordable, they lack the structural integrity and precise fit achieved through traditional bespoke tailoring.”

Usage

Typically functions as an uncountable noun when referring to the craft or the process of customisation.

Real-World Examples

“By tailoring their geometry, researchers can create materials with properties similar to those of natural tissues.”
Phys.org · 8 Sept 2026
“Most of the appeals for help last week came from northern Gaza and Deir al Balah, with teams tailoring response to meet families’ specific needs.”
UN News · 14 Aug 2026

Word family

tailorVerbtailoringNoun

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/tailoring

English Reference