embellishment

noun

em·​bel·​lish·​ment im-ˈbe-lish-mənt 

1

: the act or process of embellishing

2

: something serving to embellish

3

: ornament sense 5

Synonyms of embellishment

• ornamentation
• ornament
• decoration
• adornment

Examples of embellishment in a Sentence

a colorful mobile is just the embellishment that the soon-to-be nursery needs

the actor's penchant for embellishment suggests that his memoirs would be more appropriately shelved in the fiction section

Recent Examples on the Web

Cyrus added a large gold sculptural embellishment that was pinned across her shoulder and chest. —Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026

An allover crystal embellishment added a dense, uniform sparkle across the surface, while a high slit on one side opened the skirt to the mid-thigh. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 31 Jan. 2026

The embellishment was so far-fetched, its chances of being believed were less than a wing and a prayer. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026

By layering these materials and processes, Materia Futura is able to produce an expansive range of material embellishments like sequins and paillettes. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1