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

• 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

Fashion insiders have showcased the range of the trend, with the embellishments appearing in summer vacation dumps and daily outfit snaps alike. —Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 28 July 2025

However, according to a brutal takedown by The Observer, The Salt Path is actually a hive of untruths, half-truths, and embellishments designed to obscure a far darker reality. —Stuart Heritage, Air Mail, 19 July 2025

These long-staple organic cotton sheet sets prove even the subtlest embellishments are worth getting right, showcasing delicate eyelets, hand-finished embroidery, and smooth, undulating edges. —Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2025

Cyrus, meanwhile, opted for a pair of tight-fitting black pants with silver medallion embellishments along the leg and a black jacket with leather accents. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 14 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1