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embellishment

embellishment

15 5.8
Something added to make a story or thing more interesting
  • noun
  • /ɪmˈbɛlɪʃmənt/
translation icon : adorno
  • In any case, they had become mere embellishments, decorations, a little color perhaps.
  • stylistic embellishment
  • rhetorical embellishment
  • embellishments and ornamentation

OK, it's a little bit of an embellishment there isn't it mates?

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Examples

  • His tale was filled with embellishments that captivated the audience.

  • But here we are using buttons as embellishment on top of knits.

  • We added this embellishment here.

  • Well, all good stories deserve embellishment.

  • The consequences of this manufacturing process and editorial color embellishment were far-reaching.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The level of aesthetic embellishment they receive undoubtedly depends on the sophistication of the patron.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Perhaps we should treat these elements simply as embellishments or diversions, not inconsequential in their way.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The most distinctive characteristic of the inscription is the prominent vegetal embellishment at the terminating points of certain "letters."

    Academic text (2008)
  • The necklace featured beautiful embellishments that made it truly unique.

  • To make the presentation more engaging, she added embellishments to the slides.

Synonyms

decoration
vsembellishment
39 1.0

Making something look more attractive by adding things like lights or ornaments

can mean creative or decorative additions, not only visual change
exaggeration
vsembellishment
9 3.3

Making a movement or voice more noticeable to create a stronger effect

seeks to add appeal or interest without necessarily overstating reality
elaboration
vsembellishment
8 4.9

Adding more detail or explanation to something

focuses on attractiveness or imaginative addition rather than explanatory depth
adornment
vsembellishment
8 4.2

Something added to make a person or thing look more attractive

often implies creative or decorative additions beyond simple attractiveness
ornamentation
vsembellishment
6 4.9

Details added to make something look more beautiful

is broader, also including imaginative or storylike additions
amplification
vsembellishment
3 5.6

Giving more detail to make something clearer

aims to make something more attractive or interesting, not only clearer
decorative element
vsembellishment
1 3.7

A small object or pattern people add to make something look nicer

also covers imaginative or stylistic additions, not only separate items
embroidery
vsembellishment
1 5.3

Extra made-up details added to a story to make it more interesting

also applies to physical decoration and purely imaginative embellishments
prettification
vsembellishment
7.4

Making something look nicer without changing how it really is

can include deeper imaginative or decorative choices, not just surface looks
brightwork
vsembellishment
8.5

Decorative details added for show that do not make something work better

may be less about show and more about creative interest or beauty
bedazzlement
vsembellishment
7.2

A way of decorating with many small shiny pieces like sequins

is broader, covering all added details that increase appeal or interest

Antonyms

451 3.2

A decrease in size, amount, degree, or price

Making something less complicated so it is easier to understand

How Decorative

embellishment
15 5.8
decoration
92 1.0
addition
773 1.6
detail
1.0

Surface Forms

embellishment singular

Morphology

embellishment = embellish (transparent) = embellish + ment

Formed by the verb 'embellish' plus the productive noun-forming suffix '-ment', so the meaning ('the act or result of embellishing') is directly predictable.

Etymology

The word embellishment comes from old French parts en- and bel, where en- means 'make' or 'in' and bel means 'beautiful', the same root as beautiful. So an embellishment is something added to make a thing or a story 'more beautiful' or more interesting.