How to pronounce embellish
Say it like im-BEL-ish. Embellish has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce embellish. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- im
- BEL
- ish
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Embellish pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- imKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- BELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ishKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of embellish
American and British speakers say embellish in essentially the same way: /ɪmˈbɛlɪʃ/ in the US and /ɪmˈbɛlɪʃ/ in the UK.
British respelling: im-BEL-ish.
What does embellish mean?
- To make more beautiful and attractive by adding ornamentation; to decorate.“The old book cover was embellished with golden letters”
- To enhance by adding something not strictly integral or necessary.
- To make something sound or look better or more acceptable than it is in reality; to distort, embroider, or even misrepresent or lie.“to embellish a story, the truth”
Where does embellish come from?
From Middle English embelishen, from Old French embellir, from em- + bel.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with embellish
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of embellish.
Questions about saying embellish
How do you pronounce embellish?
Say im-BEL-ish. The American pronunciation is /ɪmˈbɛlɪʃ/. In British English it is /ɪmˈbɛlɪʃ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in embellish?
Embellish has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BEL). Broken into parts: im · BEL · ish.
Do Americans and Brits say embellish the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪmˈbɛlɪʃ/ and the British form is /ɪmˈbɛlɪʃ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.