embellished
im-BEL-isht
/ɪmˈbel.ɪʃt/
Decorated or enhanced with added ornamental features such as beads, sequins, or embroidery.
Implies intricate, artful surface decoration added to elevate a plain garment.
The story behind the word. Rooted in Old French 'embellir', combining 'en-' (into) with 'bel' (beautiful, from Latin 'bellus'). It originally meant making someone physically attractive before expanding into textile craftsmanship and decorative arts.
Word relationships
- adorned: 'Adorned' means decorated generally, while 'embellished' suggests intricate structural or surface crafting.
- unadorned: Plain and completely devoid of decorative additions.
Commonly confused with
- exaggerated: 'Exaggerated' means overstated in scale or speech, whereas 'embellished' in fashion means decorative.
Word family
- embellish (verb): To decorate or add detail to
- embellishment (noun): A decorative detail or feature
Collocations
- heavily embellished
- embellished bodice
- embellished with crystals
- hand-embellished
Example sentences
- "The jacket was heavily embellished with crystal beads along the lapels and cuffs." Garment Craftsmanship
- "She selected an embellished gown that required no additional jewelry." Design Description
Memory hook
em-BELL-ish makes a dress look as beautiful as a BELLE of the ball. Make beautiful with details.
When not to use
Do not use to describe minimalist, plain, or completely unadorned clothing.
Fun facts
- In haute couture, a single heavily embellished dress can take over 1,000 hours of hand craftsmanship.
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