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

Who can blame a tabloid journalist for a little embellishment?

From Seattle Times

He has also been fined three times: for roughing in 2021, kneeing in 2016 and embellishment in 2015.

From Seattle Times

Emma Stone has opted for stunning, form-fitting frocks with plenty of embellishment.

From Los Angeles Times

The facts of Blanco’s life — the murders, the kidnappings, the tense backroom meetings with drug bosses — hardly needed embellishment for TV.

From New York Times

Jenny Ortega stunned in a strapless Dior with a molded skirt in an elegant pale pattern of chunky embellishment.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• adornment
• coloring
• embroidery
• ornamentation