embroider

[em-broi-der]

verb (used with object)

1. to decorate with ornamental needlework.

2. to produce or form in needlework.

3. to adorn or embellish rhetorically, especially with ornate language or fictitious details.

   He embroidered the account of the shipwreck to hold his listeners' interest.

   Synonyms: fancify, color, exaggerate, elaborate

verb (used without object)

1. to do embroidery.

2. to add embellishments; exaggerate (often followed by on orupon ).

embroider

/ ɪmˈbrɔɪdə /

verb

1. to do decorative needlework (upon)

2. to add fictitious or fanciful detail to (a story)

3. to add exaggerated or improbable details to (an account of an event, etc)

Other Word Forms

• embroiderer noun
• overembroider verb (used with object)
• unembroidered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of embroider¹

1350–1400; em- ¹ + broider; replacing Middle English embroderen, frequentative of embroden < Middle French embro ( u ) der, equivalent to em- em- ¹ + Old French brosder, derivative of brosd < Germanic ( brad )

Word History and Origins

Origin of embroider¹

C15: from Old French embroder; see em- _en- ¹ , _broider

Example Sentences

He even embroidered the word on his back.

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It has a crest that reads NHS embroidered in pale yellow stitching, and brassy state championship pins that look vibrant against the jacket’s black fabric.

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The bodice was a deep-green silk embroidered with gold thread, and fitted snugly around her waist.

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It was a small, hand-sewn pillow, with one word embroidered crookedly on its front.

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Practical as ever, the girls proceeded to pluck the coat and use the feathers to make pillows upon which to embroider the sayings of Agatha Swanburne.

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Related Words

• bedeck 
• decorate 
• embellish 
• knit 
• stitch