Basic Details
Word: Embroidery
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Decorative stitching on fabric, often used to create designs or patterns.
Synonyms: Needlework, stitching, decoration
Antonyms: Plainness, simplicity
Idioms and Phrases
- Embroidery of the truth: Refers to embellishing or exaggerating a story. Example: "The tale he told was an embroidery of the truth, filled with adventures that never happened."
- Needle in a haystack: While not directly related, it conveys the difficulty of finding something amidst clutter, much like finding a small stitch in a complex embroidery pattern. Example: "Trying to find my lost button in this messy drawer is like searching for a needle in a haystack."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The beautiful embroidery on her dress made it the centre of attention at the party.
Example 2: My grandmother taught me how to do embroidery, and I love making patterns on tablecloths.
Example 3: The artist used embroidery to enhance her tapestry, adding vibrant colours and intricate designs.
Fun Fact
Did you know that embroidery dates back to ancient times? The earliest known examples of embroidery were found in China and date back to around 3500 BC!
Famous Quote
"Adaptability is about the powerful difference between adapting to cope and adapting to win." Max McKeown. (This could relate to embroidery as it shows how different techniques create beautiful outcomes.)
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "embroidery" mean?
a) A type of food
b) Decorative stitching on fabric
c) A musical instrument
d) A kind of dance
Answer: b) Decorative stitching on fabric
2. Which of these is a synonym of "embroidery"?
a) Painting
b) Needlework
c) Sculpting
d) Poetry
Answer: b) Needlework
3. What is an antonym of "embroidery"?
a) Design
b) Plainness
c) Pattern
d) Craft
Answer: b) Plainness
4. Which sentence uses "embroidery" correctly?
a) Her embroidery made the simple cloth look beautiful.
b) The embroidery is playing in the garden.
c) He decided to eat the embroidery.
d) The embroidery grew tall and strong.
Answer: a) Her embroidery made the simple cloth look beautiful.
5. Which idiom means to exaggerate or embellish a story?
a) Needle in a haystack
b) Embroidery of the truth
c) As clear as mud
d) Straight as an arrow
Answer: b) Embroidery of the truth
