tailor-made

American  

[tey-ler-meyd, tey-ler-meyd, -meyd] / ˈteɪ lərˈmeɪd, ˈteɪ lərˌmeɪd, -ˈmeɪd /

adjective

1. tailored.

2. custom-made; made-to-order; made-to-measure.

   an expensive tailor-made suit.

3. fashioned to a particular taste, purpose, demand, etc..

   a musical comedy tailor-made for the popular audience.

---

noun

1. something, as a garment, that is tailor-made.

tailor-made British  

adjective

1. made by a tailor to fit exactly

   a tailor-made suit

2. perfectly meeting a particular purpose

   a girl tailor-made for him

---

noun

1. a tailor-made garment

2. 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

The way Brentford will set up is almost tailor-made to face Leeds, really, to hit them on the counter-attack.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

Mr. Emanuel’s message is tailor-made for a 2028 general election that is more than 1,000 days away.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 27, 2026

Safdie said the 29-year-old Franco-American actor was tailor-made for the title role and wholly committed to the project from the get-go.

From Barron's • Dec. 23, 2025

Imagine if death were also a one-way ticket to the tailor-made paradise of your desire.

From Salon • Nov. 27, 2025

Baba delivered a tailor-made sundari desk and chair to the school the day before the exam.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins

Related Words

• custom-made
• suitable
• suited