to decorate or embellish (food, drink, etc.) with small items or attractive colors, to seize (money, property, or wages) to settle a debt or claim

garnish wages, garnish a plate, garnish a drink

Formal and Informal Expressions of garnish

In different contexts, you can replace 'garnish' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'decorate, adorn, embellish' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'spruce up, jazz up' is a commonplace synonym.

garnish: Explore its Definition & Usage

garnish Definition

1to decorate or embellish (food, drink, etc.) with small items or attractive colors
2to seize (money, property, or wages) to settle a debt or claim

Using garnish: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "garnish" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The chef garnished the dish with fresh herbs and lemon zest.
Example
The cocktail was garnished with a cherry and a slice of orange.
Example
The creditor garnished his wages to pay off the debt.
Example
The bank account was garnished to satisfy the court order.

garnish Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for garnish

Antonyms for garnish

bare
strip

Phrases with garnish

garnish wages
to legally withhold a portion of an employee's wages to pay off a debt or judgment
Example
The court ordered the employer to garnish the employee's wages to pay off the outstanding debt.
garnish a plate
to add decorative or flavorful elements to a dish before serving
Example
The chef garnished the plate with a sprig of rosemary and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
garnish a drink
to add decorative or flavorful elements to a drink before serving
Example
The bartender garnished the cocktail with a twist of lemon and a sugar rim.

Origins of garnish

from Old French 'garnir', meaning 'to provide, furnish'

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Summary: garnish in Brief

To 'garnish' [ˈɡɑːnɪʃ] means to decorate or embellish food or drink with small items or attractive colors. It can also refer to seizing money or property to settle a debt or claim. Examples include 'The chef garnished the dish with fresh herbs and lemon zest.' and 'The creditor garnished his wages to pay off the debt.' 'Garnish' extends into phrases like 'garnish wages,' denoting legal withholding of wages to pay off a debt, and 'garnish a plate,' referring to adding decorative or flavorful elements to a dish.