French word

embellir

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃beliʁ/

Meaning

  • verbbeautify

Example

Les fleurs embellissent le jardin.

The flowers beautify the garden.

Illustration for embellir (beautify)

More examples

Ils ont ajouté des plantes pour embellir la maison.

They added plants to beautify the house.

Core concept

Flowers, details, or careful presentation making the whole scene look more attractive.

Common phrases

  • embellir la maison

    beautify the house

  • embellir une photo

    enhance a photo

  • embellir son apparence

    enhance one's appearance

Similar words

décorer: To decorate a place or object to improve its appearance.
enjoliver: To make words or descriptions more vivid and appealing.
améliorer: To improve a condition or performance.
agrémenter: To add something that makes a setting or content more pleasant and attractive.

Definition in French

Donner une apparence plus agréable à quelque chose, en améliorant sa forme ou sa présentation.

Word origin

The verb developed in Old French from en- combined with bel, a form related to Latin bellus 'beautiful', and the verb ending -ir.

Usage tips

  • Embellir can also describe a story or account when extra details make it sound more impressive than the bare facts.

Other meanings

  • embellishverb
  • adornverb

Opposites

Related words

  • embellissementbeautificationnoun
  • embellissantbeautifyingadjective
  • embellisseurbeautifiernoun

Word lists with this word