embellishment

[ em-bel-ish-muhnt ]

noun

1. an ornament or decoration.
2. a fictitious addition, as to a factual statement.
3. Music.
   1. ornament ( def 8 ).
   2. auxiliary tone.
4. the act of embellishing.
5. state of being embellished.

Other Words From

• nonem·bellish·ment noun
• over·em·bellish·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of embellishment¹

First recorded in 1615–25; embellish + -ment

Example Sentences

The garnishes and embellishments are as significant as the flavors themselves.

From Salon

Rep SG with your chest, or rather, on your chest, with dangling little embellishments like a blinged-out strawberry or framed pensive kitty.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s a thin tapestry of lore with some interesting creative embellishments, but without any real interest in character, it feels flimsy and disposable,” Walsh adds.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a thin tapestry of lore with some interesting creative embellishments, but without any real interest in character, it feels flimsy and disposable.

From Los Angeles Times

Who can blame a tabloid journalist for a little embellishment?

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• adornment
• coloring
• embroidery
• ornamentation