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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

ornament

AW-nuh-muhnt

Ornament (noun) means a decorative object or detail added to make something more attractive. Example: “The shelf was covered in small glass ornaments.”

noun
1
A decorative object or detail added to make something more attractive.
"The shelf was covered in small glass ornaments."
"They hung fresh ornaments on the Christmas tree."
verb
1
To decorate something.
"The gate was ornamented with intricate ironwork."

How to use ornament

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething decorative, or the act of decorating.

Common pairings
Christmas ornament ornament the tree purely ornamental

Word forms

ornamented past tense, ornaments plural, ornaments singular

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Test yourself on “ornament” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The shelf was covered in small glass _____.

Etymology

From Latin ornamentum, "equipment, adornment," from ornare, "to equip, adorn."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for ornament

See all rhymes for ornament →

Frequently asked questions

What does “ornament” mean?

The word “ornament” means a decorative object or detail added to make something more attractive. In plain terms, something decorative, or the act of decorating.

How do you pronounce “ornament”?

“Ornament” is pronounced AW-nuh-muhnt (/ˈɔɹnəmənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “ornament” in a sentence?

Here is “ornament” used in a sentence: “The shelf was covered in small glass ornaments.”

What part of speech is “ornament”?

Depending on how it is used, “ornament” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “ornament” come from?

The word “ornament” comes from Latin. From Latin ornamentum, "equipment, adornment," from ornare, "to equip, adorn.".

Is “ornament” a common word?

“Ornament” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “ornament” have?

“Ornament” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a decorative object or detail added to make something more attractive.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial