made to measure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made to measure" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is custom-made or tailored to fit specific requirements or preferences. Example: "The tailor created a suit that was made to measure, ensuring a perfect fit for the client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

"The jacket looks made to measure".

The New Yorker

Then, I got a bespoke suit made to measure.

Independent

And what we are offering will not just be a modern, made to measure, global service.

The Guardian

While seemingly made to measure, this "King Lear" was still somewhat accidental.

The New York Times

The first-time ball was made to measure for Walcott, whose downwards header beat Federici.

The Guardian - Sport

Fair enough — after all, we're not in Charvet, where all his clothes are made to measure.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Only Massaro, the bootmakers, makes only made-to-measure pieces.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But I also love made-to-measure pieces from good tailors like Isaia in Naples.

The New York Times

But as a favor, he makes made-to-measure suits for some individual customers.

The New York Times

I want to do made-to-measure there.

The New York Times - Magazine

Massimo Dutti, Burton, Debenhams and Austin Reed do made-to-measure.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, reserve "made to measure" for situations where precision and exact specifications are critical, such as custom engineering solutions.

Common error

Avoid using "made to measure" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler terms like "customized" or "personalized" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made to measure" functions primarily as an adjective describing something that has been specially created according to individual specifications. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis, indicating the phrase is correct and usable. It often modifies nouns like "suit", "service", or "knives", as seen in the examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made to measure" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe something custom-built to specific requirements. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it conveys a sense of precision and individual tailoring. While versatile, it's best suited for professional and neutral registers. When writing, use "made to measure" to highlight customization, but consider alternatives like "custom-made" or "tailor-made" in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

custom-made

Indicates something specifically designed and created for an individual or purpose, like "made to measure".

tailor-made

Similar to custom-made, but often used in contexts of clothing or solutions designed to fit specific needs.

bespoke

A more formal term for custom-made, often used in the context of tailoring but applicable more broadly.

customized

Highlights the act of modifying something to fit individual requirements.

specifically designed

Emphasizes the intentional creation of something for a particular purpose or individual.

personalized

Focuses on adapting something to reflect individual preferences or characteristics.

fitted

Implies an exact match or precise adaptation, often used in the context of clothing or equipment.

adapted

Suggests modification to suit specific conditions or requirements.

specially created

Emphasizes that something was uniquely produced for a particular reason.

purpose-built

Indicates that something was constructed with a particular function or aim in mind.

FAQs

What does "made to measure" mean?

The phrase "made to measure" refers to something that is specifically created or adapted to fit particular requirements or specifications, offering a high degree of customization.

When is it appropriate to use "made to measure"?

Use "made to measure" when you want to emphasize that something is custom-made or tailored to very specific needs, often implying precision and individual attention. For less formal scenarios, consider "custom-made" or "tailor-made".

What are some alternatives to "made to measure"?

Synonyms for "made to measure" include "customized", "personalized", "bespoke" and "specifically designed", each carrying slightly different connotations of individual adaptation.

How does "made to measure" differ from "off-the-peg"?

"Made to measure" implies a product is created to individual specifications, whereas "off-the-peg" refers to standard sizes and designs that are ready-made and not customized.