embellish
UK: ɪmˈbelɪʃ | US: ɪmˈbelɪʃ
vt. to decorate or enhance (something) by adding ornamental details
vt. to make (a story or statement) more interesting by adding exaggerated or fictitious details
The word "embellish" traces back to Latin roots. The prefix em- (a variant of in-) means "to make," while bellus means "beautiful." Combined with the verb-forming suffix -ish, the word originally meant "to make beautiful." Over time, its meaning expanded to include both literal decoration (e.g., embellishing clothing) and figurative enhancement (e.g., embellishing a story). The logic reflects a progression from physical beauty to narrative ornamentation.
She embellished her dress with delicate lace and pearls.
The author embellished the historical events to make the novel more engaging.
Gardeners often embellish pathways with colorful flowers.
His speech was embellished with exaggerated anecdotes.
The artist embellished the mural with intricate gold leaf designs.