embellishments
Frills and flourishes
Embellishments are decorative additions that enhance or beautify something.
A dress might have embellishments of lace or beading.
In music, embellishments are ornamental notes added to a melody.
The word often implies excess or falsification: His story contained a few embellishments.
To embellish a tale is to add details that may not be strictly true.
Prospers or ornamental strokes
- swirlsCircular flowing movements
- arabesquesInterlaced ornamental patterns
- curlicuesDecorative spiral shapes
- illuminationProvision of light
scrollwork · cartouche · fleuron · ornamentation · serifs · ligatures · acanthus · volutes
Extras that complete something
- sequinsSmall reflective fabric ornaments
- beadsSmall pierced ornaments for stringing
- ribbonsNarrow fabric strips
- laceOpen-weave ornamental fabric
fringe · tassels · bows · pompoms · rosettes · appliqué · feathers · glitter
Delicate twisted-wire ornamentation
- gildingApplying decorative gold coating
- scrollworkSpiral ornamental design
- moldingDecorative architectural edging
- inlayEmbedded surface ornamentation
marquetry · stucco · frescoes · mosaic · brocade · tapestry · plasterwork · etching
Overstating beyond reality
- elaborationDevelopment through detail
- hyperboleRhetorical extreme exaggeration
- dramatizationConverting events to performance
- flourishTo grow vigorously
overstatement · fabrication · enhancement · amplification · ornamentation · padding · gilding · spin
flourishes
Prospers or ornamental strokes
- swirlsCircular flowing movements
- arabesquesInterlaced ornamental patterns
- curlicuesDecorative spiral shapes
illumination · scrollwork · cartouche · fleuron · ornamentation · serifs · ligatures · acanthus · volutes · borders
trimmings
Extras that complete something
- sequinsSmall reflective fabric ornaments
- beadsSmall pierced ornaments for stringing
- ribbonsNarrow fabric strips
lace · fringe · tassels · bows · pompoms · rosettes · appliqué · feathers · glitter · rhinestones
filigree
Delicate twisted-wire ornamentation
- gildingApplying decorative gold coating
- scrollworkSpiral ornamental design
- moldingDecorative architectural edging
inlay · marquetry · stucco · frescoes · mosaic · brocade · tapestry · plasterwork · etching · engraving
exaggeration
Overstating beyond reality
- elaborationDevelopment through detail
- hyperboleRhetorical extreme exaggeration
- dramatizationConverting events to performance
flourish · overstatement · fabrication · enhancement · amplification · ornamentation · padding · gilding · spin · adornment
garlands
Strung decorative arrangements
- streamersDecorative hanging ribbons
- confettiThrown celebration scraps
- buntingFestive decorative fabric
tinsel · baubles · wreaths · festoons · banners · lanterns · balloons · centerpieces · cake toppers
pendants
Jewelry that hangs
lockets · pins · cufflinks · medallions · cameos · chokers · tiaras · earrings · clasps · anklets
- graphicsvector, shapes, 3D graphics, raster, symbols
- curvescurve, arc, curves, curls, curl
- handwritingcursive, block letters, penmanship, print letters, legible
- home decorvase, candles, lamps, cushions, artwork
- ornamentationornaments, ornament, ornamentation, ornamental, decoration
- extrasextra, add-ons, add-on, extras, addition
embellishmentsplainness
Unadorned, straightforward quality
simplicity · austerity · bareness · starkness · minimalism
embellishmentsunderstatements
Deliberately diminished descriptions
plain truth · bare facts · unvarnished truth · straight talk · understating
embellishmentsreductions
Acts of lessening
simplifications · omissions · essentials · deletions · basics