tailoring
mediumformal/neutral
Definition
Meaning
The craft or process of making, altering, or adapting clothes, especially suits, to fit individual measurements.
The act of customizing or adjusting something, such as a service, message, or product, to meet specific requirements or preferences.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a high degree of skill, precision, and attention to detail; often associated with bespoke or customized outcomes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is identical; British English tends to emphasize traditional bespoke tailoring, while American English uses it more broadly in business and technology contexts.
Connotations
In British English, it often connotes heritage and luxury (e.g., Savile Row); in American English, it connotes customization across various fields.
Frequency
Equally common in both variants, with slighty higher frequency in British English due to historical tailoring industries.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
tailoring of [noun]tailoring for [purpose]tailoring to [need]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “tailor-made”
- “cut from the same cloth”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to the customization of services or products to client needs, e.g., 'The firm specializes in tailoring financial advice.'
Academic
Used in fashion studies or research on personalized services, e.g., 'Her thesis explores the socio-economic impact of tailoring.'
Everyday
Common when discussing clothes or minor adjustments, e.g., 'I need some tailoring on these trousers.'
Technical
In fashion design or manufacturing, referring to precise garment construction, e.g., 'Digital tools have revolutionized tailoring techniques.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We tailor our reports to suit the audience.
- He tailors his teaching methods for each student.
American English
- They tailor the software to meet specific user demands.
- She tailors her presentations based on client feedback.
adjective
British English
- He prefers tailored suits from London shops.
- The proposal was tailored for the board's review.
American English
- She bought a tailored dress for the occasion.
- The program offers tailored solutions for businesses.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The tailoring on this coat is very neat.
- My uncle does tailoring for a living.
- She appreciates good tailoring in her clothes.
- The shop offers tailoring for wedding dresses.
- Bespoke tailoring requires years of apprenticeship.
- Effective communication involves tailoring the message to the listener.
- The evolution of tailoring reflects changes in fashion and technology.
- Strategic planning often entails tailoring approaches to market dynamics.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a tailor fitting a suit perfectly; 'tailoring' means making something fit just right through customization.
Conceptual Metaphor
Tailoring as adjusting something to fit perfectly, analogous to fitting clothes to an individual's body.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'пошив', which is more general sewing; 'tailoring' implies customization and skill.
- Do not confuse with 'портновское дело', which may not cover extended meanings like service customization.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'tailoring' to mean general sewing without the customization aspect.
- Overusing in contexts where 'adjustment' or 'modification' is more appropriate.
Practice
Quiz
What is the core meaning of 'tailoring'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its primary meaning relates to clothes, it is extended to mean customizing anything, such as services, messages, or products, to fit specific needs.
'Tailoring' emphasizes customization, precision, and fitting, often for structured garments like suits, whereas 'sewing' is a broader term for joining fabrics with needle and thread.
Yes, the verb form is 'to tailor', meaning to make or adapt something to suit a particular purpose or person.
It is generally neutral to formal, commonly used in professional, business, and technical contexts, but can appear in everyday speech when discussing clothes or customization.