Definition

1. Verb (present participle of ):
   • To decorate fabric with needlework: "embroidering" means the act of stitching decorative patterns onto cloth using a needle and thread.
   • To add fictitious or exaggerated details: "embroidering" can also mean embellishing a story or account with invented or exaggerated information to make it more interesting.

Usage Examples

• Literal (needlework):

  • She is embroidering a floral pattern on the pillowcase. (She is stitching flowers onto the fabric.)
  • The artisan spent hours embroidering the traditional costume by hand. (The worker decorated the garment with intricate needlework.)

• Figurative (embellishing a story):

  • He was accused of embroidering the truth about his past achievements. (He added false or exaggerated details to his account.)
  • The witness kept embroidering her testimony with unnecessary embellishments. (She added fictitious elements to her statement.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be embroidering on something": to add extra details to a narrative or design.
  • The novelist is embroidering on the basic plot with rich subplots. (The writer is expanding the story with additional elements.)

Variants and Related Words

• Embroider (verb): the base form.
  • I like to embroider my jeans with colorful designs. (I decorate them with needlework.)
• Embroiderer (noun): a person who embroiders.
  • The embroiderer used silk thread for the delicate work. (The needleworker used fine material.)
• Embroidery (noun): the art or result of embroidering.
  • The embroidery on the dress was exquisite. (The decorative stitching was beautiful.)

Synonyms

• Stitch: to sew decorative patterns (e.g., )
• Embellish: to add decorative or false details (e.g., )

Related Idioms

• Embroider the truth: to exaggerate or lie about facts.
  • Don't embroider the truth; just tell me what happened. (Do not exaggerate; be honest.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Embroider upon: to expand or elaborate on a topic.
  • The speaker embroidered upon the main point with many anecdotes. (He added extra stories to the core message.)