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
- color
- elaborate (on)
- embellish
- exaggerate
- hyperbolize
- magnify
- pad
- stretch
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Thirty artisans worked to hand-embroider the one-of-a-kind, open-back design across 700 hours. 
Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 2 Sep. 2022 In Soviet preschool, our teachers had spanked us, we would get yelled at for e.g., not having the motor skills to embroider the Kremlin. Bela Shayevich, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 In the nature of such risky stage business, the playful interludes are hit or miss: Stunts are arranged to draw audience members into the play, which embroider the carnival atmosphere but feel a bit halfhearted. Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2022 Sometimes, the vyshyvanka’s embroidery can signify health, happiness, good luck, while each piece can take weeks to even months to embroider. Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2022 Growing up in Canton in the 1950s, Maria Kaczaniuk embraced her Ukrainian heritage, learning to embroider traditional dresses and pillows, dance in the Ukrainian style and cook Ukrainian food. Christina Tkacik, baltimoresun.com, 11 Mar. 2022 Brohi transformed the Women's Literacy and Skills Development centers into embroidery centers in each village where women learned how to embroider, how to earn an income and how to lead within their families. Sofia Krusmark, The Arizona Republic, 28 Feb. 2022 Each coat takes a team of two to embroider with Swarovski crystals. Steff Yotka, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2021 Dongre takes special pride in the women who intricately embroider and hand-paint her designs. Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2021 See More
Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 2 Sep. 2022 In Soviet preschool, our teachers had spanked us, we would get yelled at for e.g., not having the motor skills to embroider the Kremlin. Bela Shayevich, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 In the nature of such risky stage business, the playful interludes are hit or miss: Stunts are arranged to draw audience members into the play, which embroider the carnival atmosphere but feel a bit halfhearted. Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2022 Sometimes, the vyshyvanka’s embroidery can signify health, happiness, good luck, while each piece can take weeks to even months to embroider. Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2022 Growing up in Canton in the 1950s, Maria Kaczaniuk embraced her Ukrainian heritage, learning to embroider traditional dresses and pillows, dance in the Ukrainian style and cook Ukrainian food. Christina Tkacik, baltimoresun.com, 11 Mar. 2022 Brohi transformed the Women's Literacy and Skills Development centers into embroidery centers in each village where women learned how to embroider, how to earn an income and how to lead within their families. Sofia Krusmark, The Arizona Republic, 28 Feb. 2022 Each coat takes a team of two to embroider with Swarovski crystals. Steff Yotka, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2021 Dongre takes special pride in the women who intricately embroider and hand-paint her designs. Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2021 See More 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-ˈbrȯi-dər
embroidered; embroidering
1
: to make with needlework
She embroidered her initials.
2
: to decorate with needlework
I'm embroidering a tablecloth.
3
: to make more interesting by exaggerating or adding details
The story had been … embroidered in so many places, that nobody was quite sure what the truth was anymore. J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fireembroiders
verb
as in exaggerates
to add to the interest of by including made-up details Dad likes to embroider his fishing stories Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- exaggerates
- embellishes
- pads
- colors
- enhances
- expands
- satirizes
- stretches
- hyperbolizes
- magnifies
- emphasizes
- amplifies
- overdoes
- stresses
- overdraws
- overstates
- elaborates (on)
- caricatures
- overemphasizes
- hedges
- fudges
- overplays
- plays up
- gussies up
- fleshes (out)
- dresses up
- enlarges (on or upon)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- belittles
- minimizes
- understates
- plays down