tailoress

tailoress

A tailoress sews a new dress in her workshop.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A female tailor: "tailoress" refers to a woman who makes, repairs, or alters clothing professionally, especially as a skilled trade.
    • Historical usage: The term is now considered somewhat dated or archaic, as "tailor" is commonly used for both sexes in modern English.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The village tailoress was known for her precise stitching on wedding gowns. (A female professional who sews garments.)
    • In the 19th century, a tailoress often worked from home to support her family. (A woman employed in the tailoring trade historically.)
Advanced Usage

  • "a master tailoress": a highly skilled female tailor.

    • She became a master tailoress after decades of apprenticeship. (A woman who achieved expert status in tailoring.)

  • "tailoress shop": a small business run by a female tailor.

    • The tailoress shop on Main Street specialized in bespoke suits. (A retail establishment operated by a woman tailor.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Tailor (n): a person whose occupation is making, repairing, or altering clothing (gender-neutral).

    • The tailor measured him for a new coat. (A professional clothing maker.)

  • Tailoring (n): the occupation or skill of a tailor.

    • She studied tailoring at the vocational school. (The craft of making clothes.)

  • Tailor-made (adj): made for a particular person or purpose; custom-made.

    • The dress was tailor-made to fit her perfectly. (Custom-fitted clothing.)
Synonyms
  • Seamstress: a woman who sews, especially as a job (often less focused on tailoring men’s suits).
  • Dressmaker: a person who makes women's clothing, especially dresses.
  • Needlewoman: a woman who sews or does needlework.
Related Idioms
  • "The tailor's dummy": a model used by tailors for fitting clothes (not specific to tailoress, but related).
    • She positioned the fabric on the tailor's dummy. (A mannequin for clothing fitting.)
Note on Usage
  • "Tailoress" is rarely used in contemporary English. The gender-neutral term tailor is preferred, as it applies to any person regardless of sex. Use "tailor" for modern contexts, and reserve "tailoress" for historical or period-specific writing.