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 or upon ).

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)

Derived Forms

• emˈbroiderer, noun

Other Words From

• em·broider·er noun
• over·em·broider verb (used with object)
• unem·broidered 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

According to legend, Tyre is the place where purple pigment was first created - the dye crushed out of snail shells to embroider royal robes.

From BBC

That, along with The Times logo embroidered on the back, makes this item from Shop LA Times stylish stealth merch at its best.

From Los Angeles Times

Mexico City time, Sheinbaum will don the symbolic presidential sash — embroidered with the Mexican tricolor and embossed with the gold-threaded national coat of arms.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Hilal knelt over his daughter's body, covered in an embroidered blanket, and wept.

From BBC

With his priest stole decorated with embroidered clowns, Cancro is part minister, part grandparent, part therapist and part human resource professional for a population that research shows can struggle with their mental health.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bedeck
• decorate
• embellish
• knit
• stitch