adorn

[ uh-dawrn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to decorate or add beauty to, as by ornaments:

   garlands of flowers adorning their hair.

   Synonyms: array, bedizen, bedeck, deck, beautify

2. to make more pleasing, attractive, impressive, etc.; enhance:

   Piety adorned Abigail's character.

adorn

/ əˈdɔːn /

verb

1. to decorate

   she adorned her hair with flowers

2. to increase the beauty, distinction, etc, of

Derived Forms

• aˈdornment, noun

Other Words From

• a·dorn·er noun
• a·dorn·ing·ly adverb
• non·a·dorn·er noun
• non·a·dorn·ing adjective
• o·ver·a·dorn verb (used with object)
• pre·a·dorn verb (used with object)
• re·a·dorn verb (used with object)
• re·a·dorn·ing adjective
• self-a·dorn·ing adjective
• su·per·a·dorn verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of adorn¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English adornen, from Latin adōrnāre, equivalent to ad- ad- + ōrnāre “to dress” ( ornate ); replacing late Middle English aourne, from Middle French, from Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of adorn¹

C14: via Old French from Latin adōrnāre, from ōrnāre to furnish, prepare

Example Sentences

Giant, golden Dobermann dog sculptures adorn the lobby and every floor outside the lifts.

From BBC

Photographs of players adorn the walls and for the official photoshoot they were individually styled, wearing a number of high-profile designers.

From BBC

Even legend Adriana Lima made her return to adorn some angel wings.

From Salon

Inside, Christian iconography and American and Haitian flags adorn nearly every shelf.

From Slate

Mahinda’s images adorn Namal’s campaign rallies and his social media posts feature illustrations showing him alongside his father when he was younger.

From BBC

Related Words

• beautify
• bedeck
• deck
• dress up
• embellish
• grace
• spruce up
• trim