embellishment

noun

em·​bel·​lish·​ment im-ˈbe-lish-mənt How to pronounce embellishment (audio)
1
: the act or process of embellishing
2
: something serving to embellish
3

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Most people will need to seek help from a nail technician for a look such as this one, but for those with advanced skill sets and kits at home, Kawajiri recommends using hard gel to apply the embellishments. Thalía Henao, Allure, 11 Apr. 2025 The entrepreneur wore a sleek black dress courtesy of Jenny Packham’s fall 2025 pre-collection with allover crystal embellishments and dramatic black sheer sleeves that flowed to the ground. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025 The embellishments helped the campaign hit fundraising thresholds needed to qualify for financial backing from the national Republican Party. Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025 And while soccer cleats being paired with skirts and bow embellishments seems like another fad to come out of TikTok and Pinterest, this style's history and connection to the Latinx and Caribbean community is currently being written over as an internet trend. Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for embellishment

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of embellishment was in 1591

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Cite this Entry

“Embellishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embellishment. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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