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

• adornment
• beautifier
• caparison
• decoration
• doodad
• embellisher
• frill
• garnish
• garnishment
• garniture
• ornament
• ornamentation
• setoff
• trim

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

Others opt to cohabitate rather than wed. Asia has been a hub for the production of wedding dresses, due to the numerous factories there, as well as labor costs and the availability of services and specialized machinery for embroidery, lacework and other embellishments that are popular with brides. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 23 June 2025

The star completed her look with a black leather jacket and strappy black heels. 12 of 15 Lucy Liu In N.Y.C., Lucy Liu attended the Rosemead premiere during the 2025 Tribeca Festival in a black ballgown with white floral embellishments and a matching sheer cape. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 11 June 2025

The summer landscape is evolving for men’s fashion with luxury accessories having a moment, transcending logos and embellishments for timeless markers of identity, artistry, and intentionality. —Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025

This fil coupé-effect design eliminates all distractions: there are no straps, embellishments, or layers. —Alex Sales, Glamour, 31 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1