embroider

verb em·broi·der \im-ˈbrȯi-dər\

: to sew a design on a piece of cloth

: to make (a story, the truth, etc.) more interesting by adding details that are not true or accurate

em·broi·deredem·broi·der·ing \-d(ə-)riŋ\

Full Definition of EMBROIDER

transitive verb

a : to ornament with needlework

b : to form with needlework

: to elaborate on : embellish <embroider a story>

intransitive verb

: to make embroidery

: to provide embellishments : elaborate

— em·broi·der·er \-ˈbrȯi-dər-ər\ noun

See embroider defined for English-language learners

See embroider defined for kids

Origin of EMBROIDER

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

Related to EMBROIDER

Synonyms: color, elaborate (on), embellish, exaggerate, hyperbolize, magnify, pad, stretch

Rhymes with EMBROIDER

avoider

EMBROIDERED Defined for Kids

embroider

verb em·broi·der \im-ˈbrȯi-dər\

em·broi·deredem·broi·der·ing

Definition of EMBROIDER for Kids

: to make with needlework <She embroidered her initials.>

: to decorate with needlework <I'm embroidering a tablecloth.>

: 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, Goblet of Fire>