ENGLISH
REFERENCE

embroidery

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɛmˈbɹɔɪdɝi// UK //ɛmbɹˈɔɪdəɹi// em·broi·dery

n. the art of decorating cloth with patterns of colored thread. You can do this by hand or with a machine to make clothes or fabric look more beautiful.

n. the handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials using a needle to apply thread or yarn. Often involves the incorporation of other materials such as pearls, beads, or sequins.


SIMPLE

She learned embroidery from her grandmother.

CONTEXTUAL

The traditional wedding dress was covered in delicate gold embroidery that took months to complete.

COMPLEX

While modern industrial machines can replicate complex patterns in seconds, hand embroidery remains a highly valued skill in the world of haute couture for its unique texture and precision.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle French embrouderie, from embrouder + -erie. By surface analysis, embroider + -y.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the craft or the decorative work in general; can be countable when referring to a specific piece of work.

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