embroider

American  

[em-broi-der] / ɛmˈbrɔɪ dər /

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

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verb (used without object)

1. to do embroidery.

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

embroider British  

/ 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)

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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 ( brad )

Example Sentences

They sported hats embroidered with the product’s crab mascot and stopped Cherny on the street for selfies or autographs.

From The Wall Street Journal

There, familiar and welcoming as a visit from home, was the light blue embroidered sweater.

From Literature

I glanced down at the new dress Ma had made, a low-waisted gray silk embroidered with a spray of plum blossoms at the shoulder.

From Literature

Rose Byrne, nominated for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, wore a black custom Dior dress embroidered with an intricate floral pattern.

From BBC

The jacket was the first thing I’d been given that was mine indefinitely, with my name embroidered in gold inside the collar.

From Literature

Related Words

• bedeck
• decorate
• embellish
• knit
• stitch