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

Brown and her creative team have gotten caught up in adornment without capturing a deeper undertow that strings it all together. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2026

Since Fossil started releasing its special-edition ring watches — tapping everyone from Barbie to Nick Jonas and Disney for the task — people started falling in love with the adornments’ more playful side, not to mention mini-watches’ unisex wearability and gift-worthiness. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 16 Mar. 2026

This particular bed set is handmade with leather, wood, suede and brass adornments. —Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026

The front of the skirt was designed with a center-front button placket, which can be worn as an adornment to the skirt in two crisp columns, or, as a robe or jacket. —Meg Walters, InStyle, 15 Mar. 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