embroider

1 of 2

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

embroiderer

2 of 2

noun

em·​broi·​der·​er -dərə(r) 

plural -s

: one that embroiders

Synonyms of embroider

Verb

• exaggerate
• pad
• color
• embellish

Examples of embroider in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

The 13 Going on 30 star wore overalls embroidered with her nickname—Jen—layering them over a white tank and tying a red bandana around her neck. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 20 July 2026

Her custom Fausto Puglisi for Roberto Cavalli bodysuit was hand-embroidered with more than 200,000 crystals in hot pink, orange and citrine, a process that took 120 hours. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 19 July 2026

Energetic Pursuit On a frigid, sunny morning in December 2025, Picard stepped up to a podium wearing a sweater embroidered with a squiggly cartoon of a mitochondrion. — Rachel Nuwer, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2026

Thoughtful touches included linen pillowcases embroidered with my initials, custom Villa d’Este bathroom products, and thick, oversized towels. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

Middle English embrawderer, from embrawderen, embrouderen to embroider + -er

First Known Use

Verb

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