embellish
/ɪmˈbelɪʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˈbelɪʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /im-ˈbe-lish/ (ame, mw)
embellish — 動詞
- 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
裝飾；美化
加上裝飾物使更美觀
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.
Sofia 在她的婚紗上綴滿了小珍珠和銀線作為裝飾。
collocation: embellish [garment] with [ornament]
The ceiling of the old temple was embellished with gold leaf and painted flowers.
這座古老寺廟的天花板以金箔和彩繪花朵裝飾。
passive: be embellished with [decorative material]
Jamal spent weeks embellishing the wooden frame with hand-carved vines and leaves.
Jamal 花了數週時間，在木框上雕刻藤蔓和葉片作為裝飾。
For the festival, the women embellished their hair with fresh jasmine blossoms.
為了過節，婦女們用新鮮的茉莉花來點綴頭髮。
A simple white blouse can be embellished with a colourful silk scarf for a party.
一件簡單的白襯衫可以用一條彩色絲巾來美化，適合參加派對。
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
加油添醋
敘述時添加誇張或虛構細節
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.
Kenji 說起旅行經歷時總是加油添醋，還說自己曾在阿爾卑斯山跑贏一頭熊。
collocation: embellish [a story] with [exaggerated claim]
Amina embellished the tale of her promotion until it sounded like a Hollywood movie script.
Amina 把她升職的故事渲染得宛如好萊塢電影劇本。
The journalist was accused of embellishing the facts to make the article more sensational.
那名記者被指控為了讓文章更加聳動而加油添醋。
When Diego described the accident to his friends, he embellished the details without meaning to.
Diego 向朋友描述那場意外時，不知不覺就誇大了細節。
I wish you would stick to the truth and not embellish every little thing that happens.
我希望你實話實說，不要把每件小事都加油添醋。
- 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.