embroider

em·broi·der

verb \im-ˈbrȯi-dər\

em·broi·deredem·broi·der·ing\-d(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of EMBROIDER

transitive verb

1

a : to ornament with needlework b : to form with needlework

2

: to elaborate on : embellish <embroider a story>

intransitive verb

1

: to make embroidery

2

: to provide embellishments : elaborate

— em·broi·der·er \-ˈbrȯi-dər-ər\ noun

Examples of EMBROIDER

1. She embroidered tiny flowers on the baby's scarf.
2. a scarf embroidered with tiny flowers
3. He is known to embroider the truth about his service in the army.

Origin of EMBROIDER

alteration of Middle English embroderen, from Anglo-French embrouder, from en- + brosder, brouder to embroider, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English brord point, byrst bristle

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to EMBROIDER

Synonyms: color, elaborate (on), embellish, exaggerate, hyperbolize, magnify, pad, stretch

Related Words: dress up, gussy up; amplify, enhance, enlarge (on or upon), expand, flesh (out); fudge, hedge; overdo, overdraw, overemphasize, overplay, overstate; emphasize, play up, stress; caricature; satirize

Near Antonyms: belittle, minimize, play down, understate

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Rhymes with EMBROIDER

avoider