From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishembellishem‧bel‧lish /ɪmˈbelɪʃ/ verb [transitive] 1 DECORATEto make something more beautiful by adding decorations to it SYN decorateembellish something with something The dress was embellished with gold threads.2 ADDto make a story or statement more interesting by adding details that are not true SYN embroider She gave an embellished account of what had happened. —embellishment noun [countable, uncountable]→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
embellish• Neither she nor Mike exaggerate or embellish.• The whole effect is as if an aftermarket body-kit specialist has had a go at embellishing a 911, with the predictable result.• This elevation of feeling, found in passionate, frenetic gestures and embellished, emotional language, supplies the persuasive element.• Could there be a clearer, less embellished example of knowledge by identity?• The Templars first built it as a fortified manor but later generations had embellished it to make it more comfortable.• He says the truth is sensational enough without anyone having to embellish it.• Lynn couldn't help embellishing the story.• If they have, you can embellish the tale of the Leprous Pavanne from the Introduction in a similar way.• You may want to embellish the walk through the woods and the dwarfs' house, and even name the dwarfs.Origin embellish (1300-1400) Old French embelir, from bel “beautiful” 