ornament

American  

[awr-nuh-muhnt, awr-nuh-ment, -muhnt] / ˈɔr nə mənt, ˈɔr nəˌmɛnt, -mənt /

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.

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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 British  

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

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verb

1. to decorate with or as if with ornaments

2. to serve as an ornament to

Other Word Forms

• ornamentation noun
• ornamenter noun
• overornament verb (used with object)
• reornament verb (used with object)
• superornament noun

Etymology

Origin of ornament

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

Explanation

An ornament is a decoration. You can also ornament something by making it more beautiful or festive. The most common use of ornament is probably in Christmas ornaments, which decorate a tree. Similarly, any ornament makes something prettier, flashier, or more festive. When you ornament something, you're beautifying, embellishing, or adorning it. Women ornament themselves with makeup. Men ornament themselves with face paint at football games. People ornament their offices with pictures of their families. Different cultures have their own ways of ornamenting themselves and their homes. If something looks boring, why not ornament it?

Example Sentences

Russian investigators have prevented a giant meteorite fragment being smuggled to Britain disguised as a garden ornament, the Federal Customs Service reported Thursday.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

Most of us have received at least one Christms present that missed the mark - a jumper that doesn't fit, a hideous ornament or a perfume you don't like.

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2025

The store’s most expensive item is a glass ornament with a $128 price tag.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 6, 2025

Chenoweth, who is as gleaming as a holiday ornament on Liberace’s Christmas tree, arrives at a canny balance of quixotic generosity and parvenu carelessness in her portrayal of a woman she refuses to lampoon.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 9, 2025

“We stood in line, were given one ornament, placed it on a branch, and then had to go back to the end to wait our next turn.”

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

Related Words

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