Definition

Noun: 1. A decorative detail or feature added to something to make it more attractive. This is the core meaning, referring to an ornament or addition intended to enhance appearance. 2. The act of adding such decorative details. This refers to the process of embellishing. 3. A detail, especially a fictitious or exaggerated one, added to a story or statement to make it more interesting. This figurative meaning refers to additions that are not strictly factual.

Examples

• As a decorative detail (Meaning 1):
  • The simple dress was beautiful even without any embellishment.
  • The architectural design featured intricate stone embellishments.
• As the act of decorating (Meaning 2):
  • The embellishment of the manuscript with gold leaf took months.
• As a fictional addition to a story (Meaning 3):
  • His account of the event was mostly true, but it contained a few embellishments.
  • The legend grew with each retelling, gaining new embellishments.

Advanced Usage

• "To be an embellishment on the truth": A common phrase meaning a detail that is not completely accurate, often added for effect.
  • Claiming he single-handedly saved the company was a slight embellishment on the truth.

Variants and Related Words

• Embellish (verb): To make something more attractive by adding decorations; to make a story more interesting by adding details, often invented ones.
  • She embellished the plain curtains with lace.
  • He tends to embellish his fishing stories.
• Embellished (adjective): Describing something that has been decorated or a story that has been enhanced with extra details.
  • an embellished historical account.

Synonyms

• Decoration: An item added to make something look more attractive.
• Ornamentation: The process or result of decorating.
• Adornment: Something that adds beauty; decoration.
• Enhancement: An improvement that intensifies quality or value.
• Exaggeration (for Meaning 3): A statement that represents something as better or worse than it is.

Antonyms

• Simplification: The process of making something less complex or ornate.
• Stripping: The act of removing decorations or features.
• Plainness: The state of being simple and unadorned.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "Truth without embellishment": A statement or account that is presented factually, without any added dramatic or fictional details.
  • I want to hear the facts, the truth without embellishment.

Noun

1. the act of adding extraneous decorations to something
2. a superfluous ornament
3. elaboration of an interpretation by the use of decorative (sometimes fictitious) detail
   • the mystery has been heightened by many embellishments in subsequent retellings