embellished

/ɪmˈbel.ɪʃ/ (bre, ipa) · [ɛmbˈɛlɪʃt] /ɪmˈbel.ɪʃ/ (ame, ipa)

embellished — verb

  • embellishedpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • embellisheds3rd person singular
  • embellisheding-ing form
  • embellishededpast simple

1. made an object look prettier by attaching small ornaments or designs to its surf

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

made an object look prettier by attaching small ornaments or designs to its surface.

例句

Beatrix embellished the wedding cake with tiny sugar roses and silver leaves.

embellish + noun + with + ornament

The wooden chest was embellished with carved birds along each side.

passive: be embellished with + decorative noun

同義詞
  • decorate

    everyday word; broader and covers arranging whole rooms or spaces

  • adorn

    literary; suggests adding something that gives beauty or distinction

  • ornament

    formal; emphasises the added decorative piece itself

反義詞
  • strip

    remove ornaments or coverings entirely

  • plain

    adjective contrast: left without decoration

文法句型

embellish + noun

be embellished with + noun

用法筆記

Frequently passive: 'was/were embellished with X' is the most common pattern in printed text. Object is usually a physical surface — a garment, building, dish, book, or piece of furniture.

常見錯誤

❌She embellished the room with new chairs.
✅She decorated the room with new chairs.
💡'embellish' implies adding small ornamental detail, not furnishing or arranging a whole space.
❌He embellished the soup with salt.
✅He seasoned the soup with salt.
💡functional additions are not embellishment; the verb needs a decorative or visual purpose.

2. added invented or exaggerated parts to a real story so that listeners find it mo

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

added invented or exaggerated parts to a real story so that listeners find it more dramatic or entertaining.

例句

Christopher embellished the fishing story every time he told it to a new audience.

object: a story / account that gets retold

Valentina embellished her grandmother's wartime memories with vivid colours and brave neighbours.

同義詞
  • exaggerate

    neutral verb; focuses on overstating size or importance rather than adding colour

  • embroider

    near-synonym; same metaphor of decorative additions to a story

  • dress up

    informal phrasal verb; less specifically about narrative detail

反義詞
  • understate

    deliberately present something as less than it is

文法句型

embellish + noun (story/account/tale)

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense always takes a verbal object (story, account, tale, memory, details), never a physical surface. The truthfulness of the original is implied to remain; only colourful extras are added.

常見錯誤

❌He embellished a complete lie about his job.
✅He invented a complete lie about his job.
💡'embellish' implies decorating a real story, not creating one from nothing.
❌She embellished the report with new data.
✅She supplemented the report with new data.
💡adding factual material is not embellishment; the added detail must be ornamental or exaggerated.