embroidery

embroidery — noun

1. patterns or pictures made by sewing coloured threads onto fabric, usually to mak

1.名詞B1
釋義

patterns or pictures made by sewing coloured threads onto fabric, usually to make the cloth more attractive or to show skill.

例句

Harper bought a linen tablecloth with beautiful floral embroidery at the weekend market.

collocation: floral embroidery

The traditional dress featured delicate gold embroidery around the neckline and sleeves.

同義詞
  • needlework

    broader term that also includes knitting and crochet

  • stitching

    more general; refers to any sewn stitches, not necessarily decorative

  • tapestry

    refers to a specific heavy embroidered wall-hanging with a picture or scene

文法句型

embroidery + on [fabric/item]

a piece of embroidery

用法筆記

Often used as an uncountable noun in this sense. To refer to one item, use 'a piece of embroidery' or 'an embroidered [item]' rather than 'an embroidery.'

常見錯誤

❌She made a beautiful embroidery for the competition.
✅She made a beautiful piece of embroidery for the competition.
💡'Embroidery' is uncountable in standard use; 'a piece of embroidery' is the natural countable form.

2. the skill or hobby of decorating cloth with needle and coloured thread by sewing

2.名詞B1
釋義

the skill or hobby of decorating cloth with needle and coloured thread by sewing patterns onto it.

例句

Yumi learned embroidery from her aunt, who had done the craft for over forty years.

collocation: learn / do embroidery

Élise spends most weekends doing embroidery while listening to audiobooks.

同義詞
  • needlecraft

    a more formal term covering all needle-based crafts

  • sewing

    broader term that includes garment-making, not just decoration

文法句型

do + embroidery

learn + embroidery

take up + embroidery

常見錯誤

❌I like to embroideries in my free time.
✅I like to do embroidery in my free time.
💡The activity sense is uncountable; use 'do embroidery' or 'practise embroidery.'

3. the practice of adding imaginary or overstated details to a story to make it mor

3.名詞C1
釋義

the practice of adding imaginary or overstated details to a story to make it more interesting, entertaining, or dramatic.

例句

The journalist's report contained some embroidery, but the main facts were accurate.

figurative: contained some embroidery

Tamar smiled at her grandfather's fishing story, knowing it had a little embroidery.

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

with + embroidery

some + embroidery

a little + embroidery

用法筆記

Informal and often slightly critical — implies the speaker doubts the truth of the added details. More neutral alternatives include 'embellishment' (formal) or 'exaggeration' (different nuance).

常見錯誤

❌She added some embroideries to the story.
✅She added some embroidery to the story.
💡The figurative sense remains uncountable; avoid the plural form 'embroideries' here.