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

Other Word Forms

• adorner noun
• adorningly adverb
• nonadorner noun
• nonadorning adjective
• overadorn verb (used with object)
• preadorn verb (used with object)
• readorn verb (used with object)
• readorning adjective
• self-adorning adjective
• superadorn verb (used with object)
• adornment noun

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

Upon entering the home, guests are greeted with an expansive living room that is adorned with carpet flooring and features wood beams on the ceiling.

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Kan teased that she was selling her home for “very cheap” before welcoming viewers into the unique pad, which comes complete with its own secret garden and ceilings adorned with gold dragons.

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Cardboard cutouts of corgis even adorn the entrance to Mejia’s office at City Hall East, making it resemble the dorm room of an especially proud dog parent.

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Her foam-lined sneakers slide off to reveal black knitted socks adorned with illustrations of killer clowns.

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Even in her dream she recognized them as being the wolves from the painting that adorned the secret attic of Ashton Place.

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Related Words

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