What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unadorned
Example
The room was unadorned, with only a few pieces of furniture. [unadorned: adjective]
Example
She spoke in an unadorned manner, getting straight to the point. [unadorned: adjective]
unembellished
Example
The dress was unembellished, with no sequins or embroidery. [unembellished: adjective]
Example
He told the story in an unembellished way, sticking to the facts. [unembellished: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unadorned is slightly more common than unembellished in everyday language, but both words are relatively uncommon and may be considered formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unadorned and unembellished?
Both unadorned and unembellished are considered formal or literary words, and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. However, unadorned may be slightly more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts, including physical objects or spaces, while unembellished is more often used to describe language or communication.