embellishment

noun

em·​bel·​lish·​ment im-ˈbe-lish-mənt How to pronounce embellishment (audio)
1
: the act or process of embellishing
2
: something serving to embellish
3

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For the event, which raises money for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Gomez exuded old Hollywood elegance in a glamorous black gown featuring sparkly embellishments. Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025 Angelina Jolie didn’t need embellishment to make an impact on the red carpet in Rome on Saturday night. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 2025 The two harmonize beautifully, freestyling over the song’s last couple of minutes, underpinned by D’Angelo’s unmistakable electric piano embellishments. Jem Aswad, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025 The boots are covered in a plush, vegan leopard-print fur, decked out with Jibbitz charms, chains, and embellishments. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for embellishment

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of embellishment was in 1591

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Cite this Entry

“Embellishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embellishment. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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