frillery

frillery

A seamstress adds a delicate frillery to the hem of a white dress.

Definition

Noun (countable and uncountable): - Ornamental frills collectively: "frillery" refers to a collection or arrangement of frills, which are decorative strips of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge, often used to embellish clothing, curtains, or other textiles. - Overly elaborate decoration: By extension, "frillery" can describe excessive or showy ornamentation, often in a pejorative sense, implying something is fussy or unnecessarily ornate.

Usage Examples
  • (A large quantity of frills used as decoration.)
  • (Overly elaborate or decorative language.)
  • (Decorative frills on fabric.)
Advanced Usage
  • "frillery of speech": overly ornate or flowery language.

    • The politician's frillery of speech distracted from the core issues. (Excessive rhetorical decoration.)
  • "frillery in design": unnecessary decorative elements in architecture or art.

    • Modernists rejected the frillery of Baroque architecture. (The ornate, fussy details.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Frill (n): a single strip of gathered or pleated fabric used for decoration.

    • She sewed a frill onto the hem of the skirt. (A single decorative strip.)
  • Frilly (adj): having many frills; overly decorative.

    • The frilly blouse was popular in the 1980s. (Characterised by frills.)
  • Frilliness (n): the quality of being frilly or overly decorative.

    • The frilliness of the dress made it impractical for everyday wear. (Excessive decoration.)
Synonyms
  • Ornamentation: decorative elements added to enhance appearance.
  • Frou-frou: elaborate or frilly decoration (often used dismissively).
  • Trimming: decorative additions, especially on clothing.
Related Idioms
  • No frills: simple, without unnecessary extras or decoration.

    • The budget airline offers no-frills service. (Basic, without frillery.)
  • Frills and furbelows: elaborate or showy decorations.

    • The ceremony was full of frills and furbelows. (Excessive ornamentation.)