garnish

[ gahr-nish ]

/ ˈgɑr nɪʃ /

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See synonyms for: garnish / garnished / garnishing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to provide or supply with something ornamental; adorn; decorate: a free-standing wall whose lower reaches are garnished by hanging gardens.

to provide (a food) with something that adds flavor, decorative color, etc.: to garnish boiled potatoes with chopped parsley.

Law.

to attach (as money due or property belonging to a debtor) by garnishment; garnishee: The court garnished his wages when he refused to pay child support.
to summon in, so as to take part in litigation already pending between others.

noun

something placed around or on a food or in a beverage to add flavor, decorative color, etc.

adornment or decoration.

Chiefly British. a fee formerly demanded of a new convict or worker by the warden, boss, or fellow prisoners or workers.

OTHER WORDS FOR garnish

1 embellish, ornament, beautify, trim, bedeck, bedizen, set off, enhance.

5 ornament; garniture.

See synonyms for garnish on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of garnish

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English garnishen, from Old French garniss- (extended stem of garnir, guarnir “to furnish,” from Germanic ); cf. warn

OTHER WORDS FROM garnish

gar·nish·a·ble, adjectivegar·nish·er, nouno·ver·gar·nish, verb (used with object)re·gar·nish, verb (used with object)

un·der·gar·nish, verb (used with object)un·gar·nished, adjectivewell-garnished, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use garnish in a sentence

Like the photos, some of the paintings have collaged garnishes.
In the galleries: Personal and political perspectives on the past|Mark Jenkins|February 19, 2021|Washington Post
Dill, with fluffy, feathery green fronds that taste bright and a bit grassy, is often used as a garnish, but has potential far beyond.
5 dill recipes that make good use of the citrusy, grassy herb|Kari Sonde|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
That’s what my secondary pantry is, a kind of mise en place of homemade condiments, spice mixes and garnishes.
Homemade condiments, dressings and toppings are a pathway to fast, flavorful cooking|Todd Kliman|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
Set aside one tablespoon of parsley, one teaspoon of almonds, and some sesame seeds for garnish, then add the remaining parsley, almonds, and sesame seeds to the meat mixture.
How to Cook with Plant-Based Beef|Christine Byrne|January 16, 2021|Outside Online

Once cool, break into small shards and use for garnishing the tarts.
Bourbon Bacon Apple Tarts|Brian Boitano|August 25, 2009|DAILY BEAST
I've read horror stories of the lenders garnishing wages to get their money back.
Meltdown on the Message Boards|The Daily Beast|October 10, 2008|DAILY BEAST
If the Salmi is made of partridges, use oranges instead of lemons for the juice and garnishing.
Domestic French Cookery, 4th ed.|Sulpice Baru
If a more ornamental garnishing is desired, place a lemon in the mouth and use cranberries for the eyes.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 3|Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
When removed from the oven, this dish can be made more attractive by garnishing it with the lobster claws and tail.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 3|Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
If the elaborate garnishing here suggested is not desired, the croquettes may be served with merely a suitable sauce.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 3|Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
However, there are numerous ways of garnishing and serving such desserts to add to their attractiveness.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 4|Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences

British Dictionary definitions for garnish

garnish

/ (ˈɡɑːnɪʃ) /

verb (tr)

to decorate; trim

to add something to (food) in order to improve its appearance or flavour

law

to serve with notice of proceedings; warn
obsolete to summon to proceedings already in progress
to attach (a debt)

slang to extort money from

noun

a decoration; trimming

something, such as parsley, added to a dish for its flavour or decorative effect

obsolete, slang a payment illegally extorted, as from a prisoner by his jailer

Derived forms of garnish

garnisher, noun

Word Origin for garnish

C14: from Old French garnir to adorn, equip, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German warnōn to pay heed

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

garnish

OTHER WORDS FOR garnish

Origin of garnish

OTHER WORDS FROM garnish

Words related to garnish

How to use garnish in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for garnish

Derived forms of garnish

Word Origin for garnish