Word
needlework
Phoneticsneedle·work
US/ˈnidəɫˌwɝk/
UK/nˈiːdəlwˌɜːk/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. work done with a needle, such as sewing, embroidery, or making lace. You use this word to describe the skill or the finished item itself.
n. decorative or functional work produced using a needle, encompassing activities such as sewing, embroidery, and needlepoint. Often refers to the craft as a traditional domestic art.
Examples
“She spends her evenings doing delicate needlework by the fire.”
“The museum features a collection of 18th-century needlework that shows the incredible patience and skill of the artists.”
“While modern textiles are largely mass-produced by machines, there remains a dedicated community of artisans who preserve the intricate techniques of hand-stitched needlework.”
Examples
simple
“She spends her evenings doing delicate needlework by the fire.”
contextual
“The museum features a collection of 18th-century needlework that shows the incredible patience and skill of the artists.”
complex
“While modern textiles are largely mass-produced by machines, there remains a dedicated community of artisans who preserve the intricate techniques of hand-stitched needlework.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “needlework” in context.
Verb
01. admire needlework
“Visitors often stop to admire the needlework on the altar cloth.”
verb + noun
02. do needlework
“She spent her evenings doing needlework by the fire.”
verb + noun
03. needlework involves
“Traditional needlework involves several different types of stitching.”
noun + verb
Adjective
04. delicate needlework
“The delicate needlework on the veil was done entirely by hand.”
adj + noun
05. exquisite needlework
“The museum displays exquisite needlework from the Victorian era.”
adj + noun
06. fine needlework
“She was famous for her fine needlework and attention to detail.”
adj + noun
07. intricate needlework
“The gown was decorated with intricate needlework and tiny pearls.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. example of needlework
“The gallery features a rare example of needlework from the 17th century.”
noun + prep + noun
09. piece of needlework
“This framed piece of needlework has been in our family for generations.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a skilled piece of needlework
“The tapestry is a highly skilled piece of needlework.”
11. display a talent for needlework
“From a young age, she displayed a natural talent for needlework.”
12. produce beautiful needlework
“The local artisans continue to produce beautiful needlework for tourists.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the activity or craft; occasionally countable when referring to specific finished pieces in a collection.
Real-World Examples
“She is telling me why she uses needlework to make huge things: 15-metre doilies, say, or a tree 13.5 metres tall rustling with 150,000 hand-sewn leaves.” “Quilt-making throughout history has combined the practical craft of repurposing fabric with designs and needlework skills that reflect the quilter’s cultural traditions.” “From dresses sewn using forbidden colours to the needlework of political prisoners, a new exhibition threads together rural life in Gaza and today’s modern art.” “Needlework and computer coding might seem to be incongruous pursuits, but for the Dutch artist Anna Lucia Goense, the two are deeply connected.” Etymology
From needle + -work, a compound attested from the late fourteenth century for decorative sewing done with a needle.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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