ornamentation
Americannoun
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the act of ornamenting.
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the state of being ornamented. ornamented.
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something with which a thing is ornamented; ornamented; embellishment.
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ornaments collectively.
Etymology
Origin of ornamentation
First recorded in 1850–1855
Explanation
Ornamentation can refer to materials or features used for decoration. The ornamentation in a fancy mansion might include crystal chandeliers, silk curtains, and thick carpets. In addition to referring to materials for decoration, ornamentation can also mean the act of decorating or the state of being decorated. If your friend is constantly redecorating her room in extravagant ways, she probably enjoys the process of ornamentation. A heavily decorated house is in a state of ornamentation. However it’s used, ornamentation involves making things look prettier — or at least more elaborate. A single object used for ornamentation can be called an ornament.
Vocabulary lists containing ornamentation
Vocabulary from Readings 3, Unit 1
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Oscar de la Renta (1932-2014) Tribute List
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Vocabulary from Readings 1, Unit 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some were drawn in a realistic style, while others were more abstract, but all showed intentional design rather than random ornamentation.
From Science Daily • Dec. 16, 2025
Where the rich of previous generations could be counted on to spend their wealth on lavish ornamentation and expensive craftwork, social media accessibility has turned tastemaking into a two-way street.
From Salon • Aug. 23, 2025
The tent may conjure fantasies of seeing a performance 100 years ago — with 3,000 hand-beveled mirrors, hand-cut stained glass windows and ornate carved wood ornamentation — but the show’s content is decidedly modern.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2025
The 18th Century painting below features typical stylistic elements of Mughal art, including highly stylised figures, vibrant colours, naturalism and ornamentation.
From BBC • Dec. 24, 2024
The houses had almost no ornamentation and were painted in dull colors—when they were painted at all.
From "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
