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

In a now viral TikTok post, Maddie Young, 27, shared snaps from every month of her son Theo's first year, where he can be seen in a similar position wearing the same blue sweater with his name embroidered on the front. —Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025

The latter were sometimes embroidered on his signature woolen cardigans and shawls bearing stylized versions of placid landscapes, bandana patterns or geometric motifs. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025

This persona is not without legitimacy, even if Robinson appears to have embroidered the facts. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025

There’s also a unique Star Cluster motif that is painted onto the passenger side of the dashboard and embroidered into the headrests and door panels. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 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