verb
-
to improve or beautify by adding detail or ornament; adorn
-
to make (a story) more interesting by adding detail
-
to provide (a melody, part, etc) with ornaments See ornament
Other Word Forms
- embellisher noun
- embellishment noun
- nonembellished adjective
- nonembellishing adjective
- overembellish verb (used with object)
- reembellish verb (used with object)
- unembellished adjective
Etymology
Origin of embellish
1300–50; Middle English embelisshen < Anglo-French, Middle French embeliss- (stem of embelir ), equivalent to em- em- 1 + bel- (< Latin bellus pretty) + -iss- -ish 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What began as a way to embellish college entrance applications has become a gratifying life experience for the teens as well as the elementary school students.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026
The 48-year-old American has long been a controversial figure, often criticized for an overly defensive style, and accused by some of dodging the most dangerous opponents simply to embellish his record.
From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026
A total of 13 other witnesses used to support the prosecution case have now told the BBC the police pressured them to embellish their statements or lie in court.
From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026
She’s so sure of her melodies that she can embellish them at any moment, stretching or rushing or wriggling them as the impulse strikes.
From New York Times • May 10, 2024
As the weeks went on, the men began to embellish the dogloos into architectural fantasies, adding church spires, minarets, porches, and domes.
From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
