embroider

verb

em·​broi·​der im-ˈbrȯi-dər 

embroidered; embroidering im-ˈbrȯi-d(ə-)riŋ 

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

embroiderer

im-ˈbrȯi-dər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• exaggerate
• pad
• color
• embellish

Examples of embroider in a Sentence

She embroidered tiny flowers on the baby's scarf.

a scarf embroidered with tiny flowers

He is known to embroider the truth about his service in the army.

Recent Examples on the Web

The custom floor-length Atelier Versace gown was made navy crepe de chine, and featured a damier motif that was embroidered with black silk thread. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2025

Vietnam War protesters wore jeans embroidered with peace signs, while feminists wore jeans, not skirts, to claim equal rights. —Stephen Mihm, Twin Cities, 22 Aug. 2025

The purse, embroidered with New York City's Twin Towers, was found by shopper Sophia Benoit, who shared it in a video with more than 700,000 views under @snailmonsterr on TikTok. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025

No wonder Ryan Reynolds, when attending last Saturday’s Championship defeat by West Bromwich Albion, wore a one-off Wrexham wool jersey with ‘Jones’ and ‘1955’ embroidered on the back in tribute. —Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

embroider

verb

em·​broi·​der im-ˈbrȯid-ər 

embroidered; embroidering -(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to make or fill in a design with needlework

2

: to decorate with needlework

3

: to add to the interest of (as a story) with details or by exaggerating

embroiderer

-ər-ər 

noun