embroidery

[em-broi-duh-ree, -dree]

noun

plural

embroideries 

1. the art of working raised and ornamental designs in threads of silk, cotton, gold, silver, or other material, upon any woven fabric, leather, paper, etc., with a needle.

2. embroidered work or ornamentation.

3. elaboration or embellishment, as in telling a story.

embroidery

/ ɪmˈbrɔɪdərɪ /

noun

1. decorative needlework done usually on loosely woven cloth or canvas, often being a picture or pattern

2. elaboration or exaggeration, esp in writing or reporting; embellishment

Word History and Origins

Origin of embroidery¹

1350–1400; Middle English embrouderie needlework on cloth < Middle French embroud ( er ) + Middle English -erie -ery; oi from embroider

Example Sentences

Theseus found his way out of the labyrinth by trailing a thread behind him; to Penelope this seemed a waste of good embroidery floss.

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The collection was then tucked away into FIDM’s archives until Frank’s colleague posted one of the blazers on Instagram, highlighting the garment’s mesh of “Victorian-style piecework and embroidery with precision mitered tailoring.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Couture brings out the best the industry has to offer, from embroidery and lace to metalwork and diamonds.

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Next, she pulls down some of her favorite Eastern European dresses, with traditional embroidery, from countries such as Hungary and Poland.

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The huge embroidery - which is widely believed to have been created in Kent - will be displayed in London from next autumn until July 2027.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• brocade 
• decoration 
• lace 
• needlepoint 
• quilting 
• tapestry