Overembellish Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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overembellish
[หษสvษrษชmหbelษชส ]
Definition
in writing
To embellish or decorate excessively; to exaggerate or overstate in a decorative manner.
Synonyms
embellish, exaggerate, inflate, overstate.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| overembellish |
Used when adding too many unnecessary details or features, making something overly decorated or complicated. Generally has a negative connotation, implying excess.
|
| exaggerate |
Used when making something seem larger, better, worse, or more important than it really is. Often implies a conscious effort to misrepresent the truth, though not necessarily malicious.
|
| embellish |
Used when adding decorative details or features to something, typically to make it look or sound more attractive. Can be applied to both physical items and stories.
|
| overstate |
Used when intentionally making something seem more important, significant, or severe than it is. Often carries a negative connotation and is utilized in contexts where accuracy is crucial.
|
| inflate |
Used when increasing or making something appear larger or more important than it actually is. Often associated with numbers, statistics, or economy-related contexts.
|
Examples of usage
- She tends to overembellish her stories with unnecessary details.
- The author's tendency to overembellish his descriptions made the book difficult to read.
- Try not to overembellish your resume, as it may come across as insincere.
- It's important to be truthful in your writing and not overembellish the facts.
- His speech was so overembellished that it lost its impact on the audience.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Literature
- In classic literature, characters who overembellish their stories often reveal their insecurities or desires for attention.
- Writers may use overembellishment as a narrative device to reflect a character's personality or the tone of the story.
Art and Design
- In visual arts, a piece that is overembellished can lose its original intent and become visually confusing.
- Overembellishment in design can lead to viewer fatigue, where too much detail distracts from the main message.
Psychology
- People sometimes overembellish to impress others, reflecting a need for validation or acceptance.
- Overembellishment can be a coping mechanism for low self-esteem, where individuals exaggerate to elevate their self-image.
Pop Culture
- Reality TV shows often feature overembellished personalities, where cast members amplify traits for drama and entertainment.
- Mainstream media reports can be criticized for overembellishing events to capture audience attention, altering public perception.
Origin of 'overembellish'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the prefix 'over-' meaning too much, combined with 'embellish,' which means to decorate or enhance.
- While 'embellish' has roots in Old French, 'overembellish' is a modern combination that highlights excessive decoration.
The word 'overembellish' is a combination of 'over-' (excessive) and 'embellish' (to make something more attractive by adding decorative details). It first appeared in the English language in the early 19th century. The concept of exaggerating or overstating in a decorative manner has been a common practice in literature and storytelling for centuries, but the term 'overembellish' specifically highlights the act of doing so excessively.
See also: embellished, embellisher, embellishing, embellishment, embellishments, unembellished.