Embellishing: meaning, definitions and examples

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embellishing

[ɪmˈbɛlɪʃɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

adornment

To make something more attractive by adding decorative elements or details.

Synonyms

adorn, decorate, enhance, ornament.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
embellishing	Typically refers to adding details to something to make it look or sound more appealing. Can be used in both physical decoration and storytelling. Often implies adding unnecessary or exaggerated elements. She loves embellishing her stories to make them more interesting. They are constantly embellishing their house with more and more trinkets.
decorate	Generally refers to adding elements to improve the appearance of a place for an event, holiday, or personal enjoyment. Common in everyday use. They are going to decorate the room for the party tonight. She loves to decorate her house for Christmas.
ornament	Refers specifically to an object that is used for decoration, often small and detailed. Typically used for holiday decorations or small decorative items. She placed beautiful ornaments on the Christmas tree. His desk is filled with small ornaments from his travels.
adorn	Used to describe adding something beautiful or ornate to enhance appearance, usually in a more formal or poetic context. She adorned her hair with fresh flowers for the wedding. The hall was adorned with elegant tapestries and chandeliers.
enhance	Focuses on improving or augmenting something's quality, value, or attractiveness. It does not strictly refer to aesthetic changes and can be used in various contexts. The seasoning enhanced the flavor of the dish. This new software will enhance the performance of your computer.

Examples of usage

She was embellishing her dress with sequins and beads.
The artist spent hours embellishing the mural with intricate designs.
The chef was known for embellishing his dishes with edible flowers.
The storyteller had a way of embellishing his tales to captivate his audience.
The garden was embellished with colorful flowers and statues.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

exaggeration

To make something seem more interesting or exciting by adding details that may not be entirely true.

Synonyms

embroider, exaggerate, fabricate, overstate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
embellishing	Used when adding decorative details to something to make it more attractive, often in the context of stories or objects. She spent hours embellishing the wedding dress with pearls and lace He enjoys embellishing his stories to make them more entertaining
exaggerate	Typically used when someone makes something seem larger, more important, better, or worse than it actually is, often in a conversational or critical context. This term often carries a slightly negative connotation. She's known to exaggerate her accomplishments He exaggerated the difficulty of the task to avoid doing it
fabricate	Used when someone invents or concocts something, especially a story or piece of information, often with the intention of deceiving. This term has a strongly negative connotation. He fabricated an alibi to avoid getting in trouble She was caught fabricating data in her research
embroider	Commonly used when adding extra details to a story or piece of fabric, often to make it more interesting or detailed, but it can imply adding fictitious elements. She loves to embroider flowers on her clothes He tends to embroider his anecdotes, making them sound more dramatic
overstate	Used when describing something in a way that makes it seem more important or larger than it really is. Often used in discussions about opinions, statistics, or descriptions, and may carry a negative connotation. The media tends to overstate the impact of minor events He overstated his role in the project during the interview

Examples of usage

He tends to embellish his achievements to impress others.
The fisherman embellished the size of the fish he caught.
Her stories were often embellished with fictional characters and events.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'embellish' comes from the Old French term 'embelir', which means 'to make beautiful'.
It is derived from the Latin 'bellus' meaning 'pretty' or 'handsome'.
The transition from practical decoration to more elaborate, extravagant embellishments is noted in various art movements throughout history.

Art & Design

Embellishing has been a key practice in many art forms, from illuminated manuscripts in the Middle Ages to modern graphic design.
In fashion, embellishing can involve adding beads, sequins, or embroidery to enhance a piece of clothing.
Architectural embellishments like moldings and ornate facades have been used to illustrate the importance or wealth of a building’s owner.

Literature

In storytelling, embellishing refers to the way a tale may be enhanced with vivid imagery or dramatic details.
Writers often use embellishment to strengthen their narratives and keep readers engaged through descriptive language.
Fairy tales frequently employ embellishing techniques to create magical and appealing stories.

History

Throughout history, embellishing was common in royal courts, where tales of monarchs were often exaggerated to enhance their grandeur and significance.
Baroque art and architecture are characterized by dramatic embellishment as a means of showing power and beauty.
In ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, embellishing tombs and monuments was an important aspect of honoring the deceased.

Psychology

Studies suggest that embellishing stories can indicate a person's desire for social acceptance or to impress others.
People often embellish details in conversations to make them more engaging, even if it strays from the truth.
The act of embellishing can also be linked to creative expression, showcasing an individual's unique perspective on events.

Translations

Translations of the word "embellishing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 embelezando

🇮🇳 सजाना

🇩🇪 verzieren

🇮🇩 menghias

🇺🇦 прикрашання

🇵🇱 ozdabianie

🇯🇵 飾る (kazaru)

🇫🇷 embellir

🇪🇸 embellecer

🇹🇷 süsleme

🇰🇷 장식하다 (jangsikada)

🇸🇦 تزيين (tazyin)

🇨🇿 zdobení

🇸🇰 zdobenie

🇨🇳 装饰 (zhuāngshì)

🇸🇮 okraševanje

🇮🇸 skreyting

🇰🇿 әшекейлеу

🇬🇪 მორთვა (mortva)

🇦🇿 bəzəmək

🇲🇽 embellecer

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,412 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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31409 puritanism
31410 putter
31411 oxymoron
31412 embellishing
31413 astutely
31414 deflating
31415 gymnasia
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