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

However, if public pressure persists, the NFL could either broaden existing roughing definitions, adopt an embellishment rule, or use medical-protocol triggers as deterrents — any of which would change how quarterbacks, defenders, and officials operate going forward. —Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025

Pillows with embellishments should be hand-fluffed and air-dried. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 Nov. 2025

Goodwin, 47, wore an off-the-shoulder cream floor-length dress with sparkly embellishments in a flower design. —Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025

Each style uses Moon Boot’s signature silhouette in high, low and slip-on options; the shoes showcase special-edition prints and palettes, and extra flair is added with details such as bead charms, colored laces, and suede and faux fur embellishments. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1