embroider

1 of 2

verb

em·​broi·​der im-ˈbrȯi-dər How to pronounce embroider (audio)
embroidered; embroidering im-ˈbrȯi-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce embroider (audio)
Synonyms of embroider

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 How to pronounce embroider (audio)
noun

embroiderer

2 of 2

noun

em·​broi·​der·​er -dərə(r) How to pronounce embroiderer (audio)
plural -s
: one that embroiders

Synonyms of embroider

Relevance

Verb

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Everything is mirrored, tufted, plumped, embroidered, gilded—and there are flowers everywhere. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026 First, a silky pink thong embroidered with flowers followed by an oversized dusty-pink graphic T-shirt sans bra, and black-and-white striped drawstring pants. — Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026 And Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wears dresses and blouses embroidered by Indigenous artisans to honor their textile traditions. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 Likely embroidered in Canterbury, it is considered a significant icon of British identity and left England sometime before the late fifteenth century. — News Desk, Artforum, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for embroider

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of embroider was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

embroglio
embroider
embroidered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Embroider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embroider. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

embroider

verb
em·​broi·​der im-ˈbrȯid-ər How to pronounce embroider (audio)
embroidered; embroidering -(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce embroider (audio)
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 How to pronounce embroider (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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