embellish in English
- embellish⇄embellish, transitive verb.
1. to add beauty to; decorate; adorn; ornament.
Ex. She embellished the simple dress with colorful embroidery. He embellished his letters with clever sketches.
(SYN) beautify.
2. (Figurative.) to make - embellish⇄noun embelisher.
- embellish⇄v.i. to give embellishments; embroider.
embellish in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
embellish in Hindi हिन्दी
embellish in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
embellish in Marathi मराठी
embellish in Sindhi سنڌي
Embellish
Part of Speech
Verb
Pronunciation
/ɪmˈbɛlɪʃ/ (American English)
/ɪmˈbɛlɪʃ/ (British English)
Definitions
- To make something more attractive by adding decorative details.
- To enhance a story by adding fictitious details.
- To improve or beautify something.
Usage Examples
- "She used ribbons to embellish the gift box."
- "He tends to embellish his stories to make them more interesting."
- "The architect decided to embellish the facade with intricate carvings."
Etymology
From Old French ‘embelir’, meaning ‘to make beautiful’, from Latin ‘bellus’ (beautiful).
Synonyms
- Adorn
- Beautify
- Enhance
- Decorate
- Exaggerate
Antonyms
- Disfigure
- Simplify
- Deface
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Embellecer | /em.be.ʎeˈθer/ |
| French | Embellir | /ɑ̃.bɛ.liʁ/ |
| German | Verschönern | /fɛɐ̯ˈʃøːnɐn/ |
| Chinese | 美化 | /měi huà/ |
| Russian | Украшать | /ʊkrɐˈʂatʲ/ |
| Hindi | सजाना | /sajaana/ |
| Arabic | تجميل | /tajmeel/ |
| Japanese | 飾る | /kazaru/ |
| Portuguese | Embelezar | /ẽ.bɛ.leˈzaɾ/ |
| Italian | Abbellire | /ab.beˈlli.re/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
Some English dialects pronounce the final syllable with a softer or elongated tone, such as /ɪmˈbɛlɪʃɪŋ/.
Historical Usage
The term has been used in literature and arts since the 14th century to describe decorative enhancements.
Cultural Nuances
Embellishment is commonly associated with storytelling, fashion, and architecture, where extra details enhance appeal.
More Information
In many cultures, embellishment is not just about beauty but also about symbolic representation. For example, in traditional clothing, embellishments often signify status or heritage.