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

For the occasion, their first red carpet together since October 2025, Reeves looked sharp in a black suit with a charcoal gray shirt and tie, while Grant opted for a black shirt, black pants, and a gray wool coat with jeweled embellishments. —Meg Walters, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026

The Dessert in the Desert press-on nails are festival-ready with intricate gold embellishments on top of a rich chocolate brown base color. —Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026

Increasingly, human resources departments noticed that applicants used the résumé to tell white lies, and even bigger fibs, listing fictitious degrees, fake promotions and other embellishments. —Stephen Mihm, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026

Original decorative embellishments such as the gilt trimwork and ceiling moldings have been restored and recreated. —Mark David, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1