adornment

noun

adorn·​ment ə-ˈdȯrn-mənt How to pronounce adornment (audio)
1
: the action of adorning : the state of being adorned
2
: something that adorns

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The ballet aesthetic is emphasized by a little bow adornment on the vamp. Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025 The book comprises over three dozen portraits by photographer James Van Der Zee—a renowned figure of the Harlem Renaissance known for depicting Black middle-class life—that offer a visual chronology of the tradition, complete with biblical and mythical adornments. Air Mail, 1 Nov. 2025 An Updown girl buried with adornments befitting the seventh-century Anglo-Saxon elite had a sub-Saharan African grandparent, and the Slavicization of Eurasia was the result of east-to-west migration rather than of top-down imposition by Slavic elites. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025 The brand uses Italian cellulose acetate to create its chic adornments, selected for its durability and eco-credentials. Ellie Davis, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adornment

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of adornment was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Adornment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adornment. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

adornment

noun
adorn·​ment ə-ˈdȯrn-mənt How to pronounce adornment (audio)
1
: the action of adorning : the state of being adorned
2
: something that adorns

More from Merriam-Webster on adornment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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