What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
adorn
Example
The bride adorned her hair with a beautiful tiara. [adorn: verb]
Example
The living room was adorned with colorful paintings and decorative vases. [adorned: past participle]
embellish
Example
The designer decided to embellish the dress with intricate embroidery. [embellish: verb]
Example
The cake was embellished with edible flowers and gold leaf. [embellished: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Adorn is more commonly used than embellish in everyday language. Adorn is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while embellish is more commonly used in specific fields, such as fashion and art.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between adorn and embellish?
Both adorn and embellish are formal words that are commonly used in written and spoken language. However, adorn can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while embellish is more commonly used in formal contexts.
