ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary Builder›Words›E›embellish
ISEE/SSAThard
embellish
to make more attractive by adding details, sometimes exaggerated ones
Synonyms
- adorn
- embroider
- exaggerate
Antonyms
- simplify
- strip down
embellish in a sentence
The sailor loved to embellish his stories with tales of giant storms and sea monsters.
The reporter was fired for embellishing details to make the article more exciting.
Where it comes from
From Old French embellir 'to make beautiful'
Memory hook
EMBELLISH sounds like BELL — decorators add jingling BELLS to dress something up.
Read it in context
- The Speaking Ground Arts