What is embellishment? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of embellishment in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of embellishment

embellishmentnoun
tô điểm
/ɪmˈbelɪʃmənt//ɪmˈbelɪʃmənt/

Where does the word embellishment come from?

"Embellishment" comes from the Old French word "embellir," meaning "to make beautiful." It combines the prefix "en-" (meaning "in" or "into") and the verb "belir" (meaning "to make beautiful"). The word was first used in English in the 14th century to describe the act of making something more beautiful or attractive by adding decorative elements. Over time, it evolved to also encompass the act of exaggerating or adding details to a story or account, often to make it more interesting or dramatic.

Vocabulary summary embellishment

type noun

meaning beauty, makeup, makeup

meaning addition, addition (to a story...)

Example of vocabulary embellishmentnamespace

a decoration or other addition that is intended to make something more beautiful or interesting

Good pasta needs very little embellishment.
a sixteenth-century church with eighteenth-century embellishments
The costume designer added some intricate embellishments, such as beads and sequins, to make the dress stand out.
The painter embellished the landscape with lush greenery and a rainbow of flowers.
She embellished her speech with personal anecdotes and heartwarming stories.

the addition of details to make a story more interesting, even if the details are not true