embroidery

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'embroidery' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the decoration of fabric with designs made with yarn, thread, and sometimes sequins by hand or machine. For example, "My grandmother does beautiful embroidery, her pillowcases always have intricate designs".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He also took up embroidery on pudding cloths and lengths of deckchair canvas, using the skeleton of an old deckchair as an embroidery frame.

The Guardian - Arts

Unlike many parts of the country where women have shed traditional regional attire, the women of Qeshm and Hormuz mostly wear the colourful bandari pants, loose at the top and tight at the bottom with vibrant embroidery.

The Guardian

There are also many ways of creating comics, from pencil and ink, to digital pens and pads, to embroidery.

The Guardian - Books

Craske's widow gave the Dunkirk embroidery, which she regarded as his masterpiece despite the poignant patch of bare unfinished canvas in the sky, to the Norwich Castle museum.

The Guardian - Arts

Raisa, three years into a seven-year sentence, told me that she was a sociable person on the outside but that in the colony she just wanted to withdraw: "I usually try to hide behind a book or embroidery or I try to escape to somewhere.

The Guardian

The First Lady cleverly chose a silk shift dress by Mumbai-born, New York-based designer Naeem Khan, deftly combining a western silhouette with a skirt embellished in exotic silken embroidery that would not have looked out of place on a Rajasthani maharaja.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Blackburn added: "He was poor, he was sick, and he was a man who did embroidery – of course he was forgotten".

The Guardian - Arts

Another interest was embroidery and he wrote a column for CrossStitcher magazine from 1998 until 2009.

The Guardian

The rapper posted snapshot of a backpack on his Instagram account to launch the range, which features T-shirts, iPhone cases, and laptop covers all adorned with traditional Belarusian embroidery patterns.

The Guardian

Did she really remember Van Gogh when he had both his ears, or was this a piece of embroidery by a journalist who worked out that the painter lived in Arles when Jeanne Calment was a girl?

The Economist

There is something about the mosaics, icons, wood carvings and embroidery of Byzantium that can fire the imagination of people who otherwise have little interest in the subtle theological disputes and murderous palace intrigues of emperors with confusingly similar names.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing "embroidery", be specific about the techniques used (e.g., cross-stitch, satin stitch) and the materials (e.g., silk thread, cotton fabric) to provide a more vivid and accurate picture.

Common error

Avoid using "embroidery" interchangeably with terms like "quilting" or "appliqué". While related, these crafts involve distinct techniques and create different effects.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "embroidery" is as a noun, referring to the art or process of decorating fabric with needlework, or to a piece of fabric that has been embroidered. Ludwig AI indicates that "embroidery" is a common and accepted term in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

42%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "embroidery" functions primarily as a noun denoting the art of decorating fabric with needlework. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, with frequent appearances in news and media, encyclopedias, and academic discussions. While there are related terms like "needlework", "quilting" or "appliqué", it's essential to distinguish them correctly. A good practice is to be specific about the type of "embroidery" and materials used when describing it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needlework

Replaces "embroidery" with a direct synonym referring to the craft of decorating fabric with a needle and thread.

needlecraft

A more general term encompassing various crafts involving needles, including "embroidery".

fancywork

An older term for decorative needlework, similar to "embroidery" but potentially broader in scope.

hand stitching

Focuses on the manual aspect of "embroidery", highlighting the process of creating designs by hand.

stitched design

Emphasizes the resulting design created through "embroidery", rather than the process itself.

textile art

Positions "embroidery" within the broader category of art made from fabric and thread.

ornamental stitching

Highlights the decorative purpose of "embroidery", emphasizing its role in embellishing fabric.

threadwork

Focuses specifically on the use of thread in creating designs, as in "embroidery".

appliqué

A related technique where fabric pieces are sewn onto a larger background, often combined with "embroidery".

surface ornamentation

A more technical term describing the addition of decorative elements to the surface of a fabric, which can include "embroidery".

FAQs

How can I use "embroidery" in a sentence?

You can use "embroidery" to describe the art of decorating fabric with needlework, as in, "She added delicate floral embroidery to the cuffs of the shirt".

What are some synonyms for "embroidery"?

Some synonyms for "embroidery" include "needlework", "needlecraft", and "fancywork".

What is the difference between "embroidery" and appliqué?

"Embroidery" involves stitching designs directly onto fabric, while "appliqué" involves sewing fabric patches onto a larger background fabric.

Is "embroidery" only done by hand?

While traditionally done by hand, "embroidery" can also be created using machines, particularly for mass production.