ornament

verb

or·​na·​ment ˈȯr-nə-ˌment 

ornamented; ornamenting; ornaments

transitive verb

: to provide with ornament : embellish

Synonyms of ornament

• decorate
• adorn

Choose the Right Synonym for ornament

adorn, decorate, ornament, embellish, beautify, deck, garnish mean to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential.

adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself.

a diamond necklace adorned her neck

decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

ornament and embellish imply the adding of something extraneous, ornament stressing the heightening or setting off of the original,

a white house ornamented with green shutters

embellish often stressing the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament.

embellish a page with floral borders

beautify adds to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness.

will beautify the grounds with flower beds

deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food.

an entrée garnished with parsley

Examples of ornament in a Sentence

flower patterns used to ornament boxes

delicate crystal figurines ornament the mantel over the fireplace

Recent Examples on the Web

Its midnight-blue glass was by Waltersperger, and it comes ornamented with a sculpture of two inseparable birds by Desrues. —Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 26 May 2026

Gold, silver, precious and semi-precious stones are on display, along with silk textiles ornamented with velvet, damask and embroidery. —Sarah Kozlowski, Dallas Morning News, 21 Mar. 2026

Blazy’s Chanel was a story of lightness that began with transparent silk mousseline pieces and flourished into dresses and suits and dresses ornamented with layers of feathers. —CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026

The nude number is appliquéd with lace and ornamented with stones. —Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ornament

• Christmas ornament
• hood ornament

Kids Definition

ornament

1 of 2 noun

or·​na·​ment ˈȯr-nə-mənt 

1

: something that adds beauty : decoration

2

: addition of something that beautifies

a satin bow applied for ornament

ornament

2 of 2 verb

or·​na·​ment ˈȯr-nə-ˌment 

: to provide with ornament : adorn

ornamentation

ˌȯr-nə-mən-ˈtā-shən, 

-ˌmen-

noun