embroider

play

verb em·broi·der \ im-ˈbrȯi-dər \

Definition of embroider

embroidered; embroidering play \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

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embroiderer

play \im-ˈbrȯi-dər-ər\ noun

See embroider defined for English-language learners

See embroider defined for kids

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 of embroider from the Web

Each vest will be embroidered with the phrase ‘Bless and protect this K9 and their partner.’ Previous vests the dogs had been wearing expired, said Drew Reeder, a township spokesman.

— sue kiesewetter, Cincinnati.com, "West Chester resident's donation makes K9 vests possible," 21 Aug. 2017
But our favorite style is the classic pair of Keds with the Herb Garden pattern embroidered into it.

— lyndsey matthews, Country Living, "Rifle Paper Co. Just Released a Brand New Collection of Sneakers With Keds," 14 Aug. 2017
These oversize tops are embroidered with butterflies to match the ones that flutter about on the property’s gardens.

— shivani vora, New York Times, "Beyond the Robe: New PJ’s for Your Hotel Stays," 13 July 2017
The quilt has 36 individual squares made from scraps of very fine fabrics pieced together and embroidered with a variety of intricate stitches.

— Cincinnati.com, "Annual vintage quilt exhibit, sale set Aug. 26 in Milford," 12 July 2017
The velvet upholstery is embroidered with a cat head and clusters of flowers.

— melissa minton, Glamour, "Gucci Home Decor Is Coming," 12 July 2017
The velvet upholstery is embroidered with a cat head and clusters of flowers.

— melissa minton, Allure, "Gucci Is Entering the Home Decor Market," 12 July 2017
These embroidered cropped jeans are perfect for summer weekends.

— kami phillips, PEOPLE.com, "8 Things to Buy From Target's Mossimo and Merona Lines Before They're Gone Forever," 7 July 2017
Following her escape from Winterfell at the start of season six, Sansa found inspiration in her roots for her strongest ensemble to date — a dark gown with a direwolf, the sigil of House Stark, embroidered across the chest.

— megan mccluskey, Time, "See How Sansa Stark Has Changed Over Six Seasons of Game of Thrones," 27 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'embroider.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology 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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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