Embroidered means decorated with needlework. An embroidered shirt, towel or cap has a design stitched into the fabric with thread, by hand or by machine. The word comes from a 14th-century verb, and it also has a second meaning about stories. This guide covers the embroidered meaning, the definition of embroidery and how to tell embroidery from printing.
Embroidered meaning at a glance
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Embroider | Verb | To ornament or form a design with needlework |
| Embroidered | Adjective or past tense | Decorated with stitched designs |
| Embroidery | Noun | The art of embroidering, or a piece of embroidered work |
| Embroider (a story) | Verb, figurative | To elaborate on or embellish |
Define embroidered
Merriam-Webster defines the verb embroider as "to ornament with needlework" and "to form with needlework" (Merriam-Webster). Embroidered is the past tense and the adjective. An embroidered jacket is a jacket decorated with stitched designs.
What does embroidery mean
Embroidery is the art of decorating fabric with needle and thread. The word also names the finished stitched design. Etymonline dates "embroidery" as "the art of embroidering" to the late 14th century. The sense "embroidered work" dates from the 1560s (Etymonline).
Where the word embroider comes from
Merriam-Webster traces embroider to Middle English embroderen, from Anglo-French embrouder. That word combines en- with brouder, "to embroider," which is of Germanic origin. Merriam-Webster gives the first known use as the 14th century.
The figurative meaning of embroidered
Merriam-Webster's second sense of embroider is "to elaborate on" or "embellish." Its example is "embroider a story." So an embroidered story is one with extra details added, often to make it more interesting than what happened.
What is embroidered, in practice
Any fabric item with a stitched design counts as embroidered. Common examples include:
- Monogrammed towels and robes.
- Caps with a stitched logo.
- Sweatshirts with a name or initial on the chest.
- Patches sewn onto jackets and backpacks.
- Uniforms and work shirts with a company logo.
- Hand-stitched hoops and wall art.
Embroidered vs printed
| Feature | Embroidered | Printed |
|---|---|---|
| How it is made | Thread stitched into fabric | Ink or vinyl applied to the surface |
| Feel | Raised, textured | Flat, smooth |
| Back of the fabric | Shows reverse stitches and backing | Usually plain |
| Best for | Logos, names, small text, monograms | Photos, gradients, large full-color art |
To check if something is embroidered, run a finger over the design and look at the inside of the fabric. Raised thread on the front and stitches on the back mean it is embroidered. Our guide what does the back of an embroidered towel look like shows what to expect.
Hand embroidered vs machine embroidered
Hand embroidery uses a needle and thread, stitch by stitch, often in a hoop. Machine embroidery uses a computerized machine that follows a stitch file. Our guides on embroidery digitizing and how to embroider a towel cover both methods. For gifts with a name or date stitched on, browse our personalized embroidered gifts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the definition of embroidered?
Embroidered means decorated with needlework. Merriam-Webster defines embroider as "to ornament with needlework."
What is embroidered mean in clothing?
It means the design is stitched into the fabric with thread, rather than printed on the surface.
What is the meaning of embroidery?
Embroidery is the art of decorating fabric with needle and thread, and also the finished stitched work.
What does embroidered mean when talking about a story?
It means the story was elaborated on or embellished with extra details.
Where does the word embroider come from?
From Middle English embroderen and Anglo-French embrouder, with a Germanic root. Its first known use is the 14th century.
How can you tell if something is embroidered?
The design feels raised, and you can see stitches on the back of the fabric.
