ornamentalism

[ awr-nuh-men-tl-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. the desire or tendency to feature ornament in the design of buildings, interiors, furnishings, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ornamentalism¹

First recorded in 1860–65; ornamental + -ism

Example Sentences

Never let the French be accused of abandoning their heritage of baroque ornamentalism.

From The Verge

Architects had tried to revive ornamentalism once before, in the 1980s, with postmodernism.

From New York Times

Despite their apparent ornamentalism, there’s little doubt both women made a lasting impression on Saudi women, who would have recognized and identified with their feminine power.

From The Guardian

This novel ticks many boxes: its themes are serious, its historic grounding solid, its structure careful, its old-fashioned ornamentalism respectable.

From The Guardian