embroidery

noun

em·​broi·​dery im-ˈbrȯi-d(ə-)rē 

plural embroideries

1

a

: the art or process of forming decorative designs with hand or machine needlework

b

: a design or decoration formed by or as if by embroidery

c

: an object decorated with embroidery

2

: elaboration by use of decorative and often fictitious detail

3

: something pleasing or desirable but unimportant

considered the humanities mere educational embroidery

Synonyms

• needlework

Examples of embroidery in a Sentence

She learned embroidery from her grandmother.

His stories about his travels include a good deal of embroidery.

Recent Examples on the Web

The apparel collection features a cotton indigo twill chef shirt with golden embroidery and brown horn pearled snaps. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 10 June 2025

Its services start with direct-to-garments but encompass so much more, including screen printing, embroidery, custom T-shirts, hats, hoodies, totes, and mugs, among many others, and professional graphic designs. —Jason Phillips, USA Today, 7 June 2025

There’s no shortage of pockets, either; the jeans are designed with two front and two back pockets, complete with a signature ‘W’ embroidery. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 June 2025

That inspired shirts with embroideries, patches, and all sorts of detail in early collections taken from those authentic black shirts with gold lettering. —Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

embroidery

noun

em·​broi·​dery im-ˈbrȯid-(ə-)rē 

plural embroideries

1

: the process or art of embroidering

2

: needlework done to decorate cloth