embroider

[ em-broi-der ]

/ ɛmˈbrɔɪ dər /

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verb (used with object)

to decorate with ornamental needlework.

to produce or form in needlework.

to adorn or embellish rhetorically, especially with ornate language or fictitious details: He embroidered the account of the shipwreck to hold his listeners' interest.

verb (used without object)

to do embroidery.

to add embellishments; exaggerate (often followed by on or upon).

Nearby words

embrittle, embrittlement, embrocate, embrocation, embroglio, embroider, embroideress, embroidery, embroidery needle, embroil, embrown

Origin of embroider

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 (see brad)

SYNONYMS FOR embroider

3 elaborate, exaggerate, color, fancify.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR embroider ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

em·broi·der·er, nouno·ver·em·broi·der, verb (used with object)un·em·broi·dered, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for embroider

He does not feel the need to embroider every note with a facial expression or a flick of the wrist.
Is Mick Jagger Too Old to Rock?|Andrew Romano|July 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It also takes years of training to be able to sew, embroider, bead, and otherwise embellish these clothes.
Chanel, Armani, and Givenchy Present Their Haute-Couture Collections in Paris|Robin Givhan|July 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
When Christian tries to speak for himself and says "I love you," Roxane instructs him to "Embroider it."
Sex Advice from Cyrano|Ben Crair|July 23, 2009|DAILY BEAST
The question almost occurs: with what can one not embroider?
Art in Needlework|Lewis F. Day

Marushka learned to embroider, to sew, to mend, to clean the floors and to cook.
Our Little Hungarian Cousin|Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
Maud did embroider a banner once for her brother; it is in the hail.
Sybil|Benjamin Disraeli
She intended to embroider a broad blue riband with this legend: "To my little son."
The Soul of Susan Yellam|Horace Annesley Vachell
She tried to embroider, as she sat alone and waited for something to happen, but her nerveless fingers would not hold the needle.
Mary Louise Solves a Mystery|L. Frank Baum

British Dictionary definitions for embroider

embroider

/ (ɪmˈbrɔɪdə) /

verb

to do decorative needlework (upon)

to add fictitious or fanciful detail to (a story)

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

Derived Forms

embroiderer, noun

Word Origin for embroider

C15: from Old French embroder; see em- en- 1, broider

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012