1. a gathered or pleated border of cloth attached to a skirt or petticoat
Usage: archaic
2. showy or unnecessary ornamentation

1. to decorate with or as if with furbelows
Usage: archaic

Examples

• The Victorian dress was adorned with elaborate furbelows around the hem.
• She considered the gold trim and tassels mere furbelows that detracted from the dress’s elegance.
• The costume designer furbelowed the gown with layers of ruffles.
• His writing was cluttered with literary furbelows that obscured his main point.
• The simple design needed no furbelows to make it beautiful.
• Period dresses often featured furbelows made of contrasting fabric.