ornament

[ noun awr-nuh-muhnt; verb awr-nuh-ment, -muhnt ]

noun

1. an accessory, article, or detail used to beautify the appearance of something to which it is added or of which it is a part:

   architectural ornaments.

   Synonyms: embellishment

2. a system, category, or style of such objects or features; ornamentation:

   a book on Gothic ornament.

3. any adornment or means of adornment.

   Synonyms: decoration

4. a person or thing that adds to the credit or glory of a society, era, etc.
5. the act of adorning.

   Synonyms: decoration

6. the state of being adorned.
7. mere outward display:

   a speech more of ornament than of ideas.

8. Chiefly Ecclesiastical. any accessory, adjunct, or equipment.
9. Music. a tone or group of tones applied as decoration to a principal melodic tone.

verb (used with object)

1. to furnish with ornaments; embellish:

   to ornament a musical composition.

   Synonyms: grace, adorn, decorate

2. to be an ornament to:

   Several famous scientists were acquired to ornament the university.

   Synonyms: grace, adorn, decorate

ornament

noun

1. anything that enhances the appearance of a person or thing
2. decorations collectively

   she was totally without ornament

3. a small decorative object
4. something regarded as a source of pride or beauty
5. music any of several decorations, such as the trill, mordent, etc, occurring chiefly as improvised embellishments in baroque music

verb

1. to decorate with or as if with ornaments
2. to serve as an ornament to

Derived Forms

• ˌornamenˈtation, noun

Other Words From

• orna·menter noun
• over·orna·ment verb (used with object)
• re·orna·ment verb (used with object)
• super·orna·ment noun
• super·orna·ment verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of ornament¹

1175–1225; < Latin ornāmentum equipment, ornament, equivalent to ornā ( re ) to equip + -mentum -ment; replacing Middle English ornement < Old French < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of ornament¹

C14: from Latin ornāmentum, from ornāre to adorn

Example Sentences

But you might not know the bear’s origin story, which I only recently discovered while searching for this Christmas ornament I spotted at my friend Heather’s house.

From Los Angeles Times

The code revealed her real qualification date, making Nasir - the ward manager with a "World's Best Nurse" ornament on her desk - one of the least qualified members of the unit staff.

From BBC

Indulge the inner ornament enthusiast From there, I’d go over to Hillhurst to Spitfire Girl, this really, really cute store that has amazing gifts and trinkets.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m a total ornament enthusiast.

From Los Angeles Times

And my mom loves gin and tonics, so I bought her a gin ornament with glitter all over it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accessory
• adornment
• art
• bauble
• embroidery
• flower
• jewel
• knickknack
• treasure
• trinket