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

Certain styles even have jewel embellishments for a more attention-grabbing look. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026

Burrow went more casual for their outing, sporting a plain white T-shirt, a baseball cap from Alo and green pants with rhinestone embellishments on the side. —Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026

Pittsburgh head coach Dan Muse and Crosby both disagreed with the embellishment penalty after the game. —Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

The rooms The impact of hewn rock, slate, scented Himalayan cedar and pine needs no embellishment in the seven pavilions, whose picture windows are best angled to catch the changing light on Nanda Devi and the Panchachuli peaks. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1