embellish
/ɪmˈbelɪʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˈbelɪʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /im-ˈbe-lish/ (ame, mw)
embellish — verb
- embellishpresent simple I / you / we / they
- embellisheshe / she / it
- embellishedpast simple
- embellishing-ing form
1. to add decorative elements such as ornaments, patterns, or trims to an object or
to add decorative elements such as ornaments, patterns, or trims to an object or surface, making it look more attractive or impressive.
Sofia embellished her wedding dress with tiny pearls and silver thread.
collocation: embellish [garment] with [ornament]
The ceiling of the old temple was embellished with gold leaf and painted flowers.
passive: be embellished with [decorative material]
Jamal spent weeks embellishing the wooden frame with hand-carved vines and leaves.
For the festival, the women embellished their hair with fresh jasmine blossoms.
A simple white blouse can be embellished with a colourful silk scarf for a party.
文法句型
embellish + noun phrase + with + noun phrase
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'decorate': embellish is more formal and usually implies adding finer, more detailed ornamentation to something already functional or complete. You embellish a dress or a ceiling, but you decorate a room or a cake.
常見錯誤
2. to include extra or invented details when telling a story or describing an event
to include extra or invented details when telling a story or describing an event, so that it sounds more dramatic or entertaining than it really was.
Kenji tends to embellish his travel stories, claiming he once outran a bear in the Alps.
collocation: embellish [a story] with [exaggerated claim]
Amina embellished the tale of her promotion until it sounded like a Hollywood movie script.
The journalist was accused of embellishing the facts to make the article more sensational.
When Diego described the accident to his friends, he embellished the details without meaning to.
I wish you would stick to the truth and not embellish every little thing that happens.
- embroider
more informal; closely matches the idea of adding fictional details to a narrative
- exaggerate
focuses on making things seem bigger or more important, not necessarily adding invented details
- pad
informal; implies adding extra content to make a story or report seem longer or more substantial
- simplify
to tell a story without extra details
- understate
to describe something as less important or dramatic than it really was
文法句型
embellish + noun phrase (story/account/facts)
embellish (intransitive: no object)
用法筆記
Commonly appears in critical contexts, such as accusations of exaggerating facts. Can be used intransitively without a direct object: 'He has a habit of embellishing.' Distinguish from 'lie': embellishing adds colour to a true story; lying replaces the truth entirely.