embellish
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for embellish, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To decorate something to make it more attractive.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use embellish
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
embellish a story
embellish the truth
embellished with detail
Etymology
From Old French embellir, "to make beautiful", from bel ("beautiful") — the same root as "beauty" and "belle".
Full origin of embellish →Frequently asked questions
What does “embellish” mean?
The word “embellish” means to decorate something to make it more attractive. In plain terms, to add extra detail or decoration — literally to an object, or figuratively to a story, sometimes stretching the truth.
How do you pronounce “embellish”?
“Embellish” is pronounced ihm-BEH-lihsh (/ɪmˈbɛlɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “embellish” in a sentence?
Here is “embellish” used in a sentence: “The dress was embellished with tiny pearls.”
What is another word for “embellish”?
Words with a similar meaning to “embellish” include adorn, beautify, decorate, deck, grace and ornament.
What part of speech is “embellish”?
“Embellish” is a verb.
Where does the word “embellish” come from?
The word “embellish” comes from Old French. From Old French embellir, "to make beautiful", from bel ("beautiful") — the same root as "beauty" and "belle".
How many meanings does “embellish” have?
“Embellish” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to decorate something to make it more attractive.
