adornment

noun

adorn·​ment ə-ˈdȯrn-mənt 

1

: the action of adorning : the state of being adorned

2

: something that adorns

Synonyms

• 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

Before the presentation, MAC Cosmetics’ lead makeup artist told WWD the makeup was inspired by Taíno culture in the Dominican Republic, with sequin wing adornments made to look like eyewear, feather lashes and foil lips. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025

The cake is quick to whip up and requires no icing or adornment. —Patricia S York, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025

The business specializes in leather, leather working tools, buckles, lather dyes, tack hardware, adornments for belts and do-it-yourself kits. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2025

But one of the building’s façades is still a temporary wall, lacking the elaborate statues and adornments that will one day garland it. —D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025

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