adornment

noun

adorn·​ment ə-ˈdȯrn-mənt 

1

: the action of adorning : the state of being adorned

2

: something that adorns

Synonyms of adornment

• ornamentation
• decoration
• ornament

Examples of adornment in a Sentence

the adornment of the walls with her paintings

Her room doesn't have any unnecessary adornments.

The entrance to the building has little adornment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Elk and bear tooth pendants were also common items of ornamentation, and important community members were buried with those adornments. —Literary Hub, 10 June 2026

Staff members draped us with orchid leis and invited us to stroll the lawn, where instructors taught us how to play the traditional bowling game ulu maika, and artisans offered wood carvings and flower adornments. —Julie Orringer, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2026

Creeping Jenny and a selection of peachy annual flowers add adornment to the base. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 30 May 2026

Elisabeth wore a traditional cap and gown, accessorizing with a Belgian flag adornment worn around her neck for the milestone. —Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English adornement, borrowed from Anglo-French aurnement, from aurner, adourner "to adorn" + -ment -ment

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

adornment

noun

adorn·​ment ə-ˈdȯrn-mənt 

1

: the action of adorning : the state of being adorned

2

: something that adorns