embroider
C1formal/neutral
Definition
Meaning
to decorate cloth or other material by sewing patterns onto it with thread
to add fictitious or exaggerated details to a story or account to make it more interesting
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The literal sense is technical/craft-related; the figurative sense is common in narrative contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Both varieties share the literal and figurative connotations equally.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties, though the literal craft sense may be slightly more common in British heritage/craft contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
embroider + [object] (e.g., She embroidered a pillow.)embroider + [object] + on/with + [material] (e.g., She embroidered flowers on the fabric.)embroider + on + [story/truth] (figurative, e.g., He tends to embroider on his childhood memories.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “embroider the truth”
- “a tale embroidered with fantasy”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; potentially in marketing for artisanal products (e.g., 'hand-embroidered linens').
Academic
Used in historical/art history texts (e.g., 'embroidered tapestries of the period'). Figurative use in literary analysis.
Everyday
Common in craft contexts and when discussing exaggerated stories.
Technical
Specific to textile arts, fashion, and costume design.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She learned to embroider at a young age.
- His account was heavily embroidered for dramatic effect.
American English
- She will embroider the company logo on the uniforms.
- He tends to embroider the facts when telling that story.
adverb
British English
- The design was embroidered beautifully.
- The tale was embroidered elaborately.
American English
- The pillow was embroidered expertly.
- The story was embroidered excessively.
adjective
British English
- The embroidered handkerchief was a family heirloom.
- She wore an embroidered shawl to the event.
American English
- The embroidered patch looked fantastic.
- They sell embroidered baseball caps.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandmother can embroider flowers.
- She is embroidering a small picture.
- The traditional costume was beautifully embroidered with gold thread.
- He sometimes embroiders the truth to make his stories funnier.
- The artisan spent months embroidering the intricate design on the wedding dress.
- Her memoirs were criticised for embroidering events to fit a more dramatic narrative.
- The poet's language embroiders the stark reality of war with metaphors of nature.
- Historical accounts are often embroidered by the biases of contemporary chroniclers.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BROTHER (sounds like 'broider') who loves to EMBELLISH stories—he will EMBROIDER them.
Conceptual Metaphor
DECORATION IS ADDING LIES (for the figurative sense); STORYTELLING IS NEEDLEWORK.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'embroidery' (the noun) which is 'вышивка'. The verb is 'вышивать'.
- The figurative sense is not directly covered by a single common Russian verb; phrases like 'приукрасить рассказ' are needed.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'embroider' with 'embed'.
- Using 'embroider' as a noun (correct noun: 'embroidery').
- Incorrect preposition: 'embroider in' instead of 'embroider on'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following uses 'embroider' in its FIGURATIVE sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes, for decorating fabric with thread. Figuratively, it applies to stories or facts.
They are synonyms in the figurative sense ('embellish a story'). However, 'embroider' specifically implies needlework in its literal sense, while 'embellish' has a broader literal use (e.g., embellish a building).
Yes, frequently. E.g., 'The dress was embroidered by hand,' or 'The story had been embroidered over the years.'
The main noun is 'embroidery' (the craft or a piece of work). A person who embroiders is an 'embroiderer'.