Standard Lemma guide

crewel

noun · verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈkɹuː.əl/
  • /ˈkɹuːl/
  • rhymes with -uːəl
  • rhymes with -uːl
  • homophone: cruel
  • CMU ARPABET: K R UW1 AH0 L Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Worsted yarn, slackly twisted, used for embroidery.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To make (embroidery) using the crewel method.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Of unknown origin; earlier forms include crule, crewle, and croole.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Hungarian: hímzőfonal — worsted yarn, slackly twisted, used for embroidery