First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1garnish
verb gar·nish \ˈgär-nish\
: to put something on (food) as a decoration; also : to be added as a decoration to (food)
Full Definition of GARNISH
transitive verb
2
: to equip with accessories : furnish
3
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Origin of GARNISH
Middle English, from Anglo-French garniss-, stem of garnir to warn, equip, garnish, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German warnōn to take heed — more at warn
Related to GARNISH
Synonym Discussion of GARNISH
adorn, decorate, ornament, embellish, beautify, deck, garnish mean to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential. adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself <a diamond necklace adorned her neck>. decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design <decorate a birthday cake>. ornament and embellish imply the adding of something extraneous, ornament stressing the heightening or setting off of the original <a white house ornamented with green shutters>, embellish often stressing the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament <embellish a page with floral borders>. beautify adds to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness <will beautify the grounds with flower beds>. deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness <a house all decked out for Christmas>. garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food <an entrée garnished with parsley>.
2garnish
noun
: something (such as small pieces of fruit, chopped herbs, etc.) that is put on food as a decoration
Full Definition of GARNISH
1
2
: something (as lemon wedges or parsley) used to garnish food or drink
3
a : an unauthorized fee formerly extorted from a new inmate of an English jail b : a similar payment required of a new worker
See garnish defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of GARNISH
1596
Related to GARNISH
- Synonyms
- adornment, beautifier, caparison, doodad, embellisher, embellishment, frill, decoration, garnishment, garniture, ornament, ornamentation, setoff, trim
GARNISH Defined for Kids
1garnish
verb gar·nish \ˈgär-nish\
gar·nishedgar·nish·ing
Definition of GARNISH for Kids
: to add decorations or seasoning (as to food)
2garnish
noun
Definition of GARNISH for Kids
: something used to add decoration or flavoring (as to food)
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