embellishment
Added decorative detail
Embellishment is decoration or ornamentation added to make something more attractive or interesting: The dress featured embellishments along the neckline.
The word extends to stories and accounts—an embellishment is an added detail that enhances the narrative but may stretch the truth: His version of events contained a few embellishments.
To embellish is to add such flourishes.
Rhetorical extreme exaggeration
- overstatementClaim beyond the facts
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- embroideringDecorating fabric with stitches
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
distortion · aggrandizement · puffery · dramatization · magnification · stretching · overemphasis · elaboration
Delicate twisted-wire ornamentation
- gildingApplying decorative gold coating
- beadingOrnamental small-sphere work
- sequinsSmall reflective fabric ornaments
- laceOpen-weave ornamental fabric
fringe · trimming · brocade · inlay · marquetry · appliqué · scrollwork · fretwork
Decorative stitching on fabric
- cross-stitchDecorative stitching forming X's
- needlepointStitchery on open-weave fabric
- crewelWool yarn for embroidery
- appliqueCutout sewn onto fabric
quilting · sampler · tapestry · stitch · lacework · smocking · beadwork · monogram
Elegance of manner
- enrichmentImprovement through addition
- beautificationAct of enhancing appearance
- elaborationDevelopment through detail
- detailingDescribing thoroughly, point-by-point
finishing · polishing · ornamentation · improvement · accentuation · accessorizing
Decorative spiral stroke
- arabesqueFlowing ornamental design
- swirlRotating, curving movement
- voluteArchitectural spiral ornament
- scrollworkSpiral ornamental design
calligraphy · cartouche · spiral · acanthus · illumination · ornamental · foliate · rococo
hyperbole
Rhetorical extreme exaggeration
- overstatementClaim beyond the facts
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- embroideringDecorating fabric with stitches
fabrication · distortion · aggrandizement · puffery · dramatization · magnification · stretching · overemphasis · elaboration · spin
filigree
Delicate twisted-wire ornamentation
- gildingApplying decorative gold coating
- beadingOrnamental small-sphere work
- sequinsSmall reflective fabric ornaments
lace · fringe · trimming · brocade · inlay · marquetry · appliqué · scrollwork · fretwork · tracery
embroidery
Decorative stitching on fabric
- cross-stitchDecorative stitching forming X's
- needlepointStitchery on open-weave fabric
- crewelWool yarn for embroidery
applique · quilting · sampler · tapestry · stitch · lacework · smocking · beadwork · monogram · cutwork
refinement
Elegance of manner
- enrichmentImprovement through addition
- beautificationAct of enhancing appearance
- elaborationDevelopment through detail
detailing · finishing · polishing · ornamentation · improvement · accentuation · accessorizing
curlicue
Decorative spiral stroke
- arabesqueFlowing ornamental design
- swirlRotating, curving movement
- voluteArchitectural spiral ornament
scrollwork · calligraphy · cartouche · spiral · acanthus · illumination · ornamental · foliate · rococo · baroque
ornament
Thing that beautifies
grace note · cadenza · glissando · vibrato · arpeggio · riff · run · melisma · roulade
jewelry
Ornamental personal accessories
bracelet · earrings · tiara · bangles · charms · beads · gems · plume · trinkets · ornament
- creative libertiesartistic license, poetic license, liberties, creative liberties, fictionalization
- storytellingstorytelling, story, tale, narrative, narrator
- Beautifyingmakeover, decoration, beautification, enhancement, ornamentation
- decorationsornament, ornaments, trim, wreaths, accent
- dirty trickscheating, lying, deceit, trickery, deception
- exaggerationhyperbole, overstatement, exaggeration, magnification, amplification
embellishmentplain truth
Honest, unembellished reality
understatement · unvarnished truth · meiosis · bare facts · minimization
embellishmentplainness
Unadorned, straightforward quality
simplicity · austerity · bareness · starkness · simplification