Words / B2

im-BROYD-uh/ɪmˈbrɔɪdə/

To embroider is to sew a decorative pattern onto cloth with thread: embroider a cloth; embroidered with. Embroidery (already in a B2 list) is the noun; sew is broader. Name the stitch if the source gives it. Mix-up: embroider vs the verb sense “exaggerate a story”; do not write embroider for a printed or iron-on logo with no thread. The story-sense is secondary — use it only if the source names invented detail.

Meaning

To sew a decorative pattern onto cloth with thread.

Examples

• “Name the stitch if the source gives it; do not write embroider for a printed logo.”
• “Embroidered cloth featured in the museum catalogue, which is still a named stitch — quote the date if given.”

Good to know

embroider a cloth / sampler; embroidered with. Noun: embroidery (already in B2). Trap: a print; “make a story richer” unless the source uses that sense. DT, history, and art. Sewn decoration — name the stitch and the textile.

Near in meaning

sew, stitch, needlework

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