embellish
To make something more attractive by the addition of decorative details or features.
In crafts, 'embellish' refers to adding physical decorations like beads, ribbons, or glitter. In writing or speech, it can mean adding extra, sometimes exaggerated, details to a story.
Word relationships
- decorate: 'Decorate' is a general term for making something look nice, while 'embellish' implies adding small, intricate, or extra details to an already functional object.
- adorn: 'Adorn' often refers to beautifying a person or a grand space, whereas 'embellish' is more commonly applied to objects, designs, or stories.
- simplify: To simplify is to strip away excess details, while to embellish is to add them.
- strip: To strip is to remove all decorations or functional elements entirely.
Commonly confused with
- embroider: 'Embroider' specifically refers to decorating fabric using a needle and thread, though it can be used metaphorically like 'embellish'.
Word family
- embellishment (noun): A decorative detail or feature added to something.
Collocations
- embellish a design
- embellish with beads
- highly embellished
- embellish a narrative
Example sentences
- "She decided to embellish the cover of the album with gold leaf and small pressed flowers." A tutorial on decorating a handmade journal cover.
- "Rather than leaving the margins plain, he chose to embellish them with intricate hand-drawn doodles." A description of a completed scrapbooking page.
Memory hook
Think of 'bell' (which means beautiful in French). To embellish is to make something as beautiful as a bell. Embellish makes things beautiful.
When not to use
Do not use 'embellish' if you are simply repairing or restoring something to its original, plain state.
Fun facts
- In music, an 'embellishment' (or ornament) is an extra note or flourish added to a melody to make it more exciting, such as a trill.
Explore more words
embellished, adorn, flattering, ornament, glamorize, furnish
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