embroidery

/ɪmˈbrɔɪdəri/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˈbrɔɪdəri/ (ame, ipa) · /im-ˈbrȯi-d(ə-)rē/ (ame, mw)

embroidery — 名詞

  • embroiderysingular
  • embroideriesplural

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

1.名詞B1
釋義

刺繡圖案

用針線縫在布上的裝飾圖案

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.

Harper 在週末市集買了一塊有美麗花卉刺繡圖案的亞麻桌巾。

collocation: floral embroidery

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

這件傳統服裝在領口和袖子上有精緻的金線刺繡。

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

刺繡工藝

用針線在布上縫製圖案的技藝

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.

Yumi 跟她的阿姨學習刺繡，阿姨已經從事這門手藝四十多年了。

collocation: learn / do embroidery

Élise spends most weekends doing embroidery while listening to audiobooks.

Élise 大多週末都在一邊聽有聲書一邊做刺繡。

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

添油加醋

為故事添加虛構細節以更動聽

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.

那名記者的報導有些渲染，但主要事實是正確的。

figurative: contained some embroidery

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

Tamar 聽了祖父的釣魚故事微微一笑，她知道裡面有點添油加醋。

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.