ornament

noun

/ˈɔːnəmənt/

/ˈɔːrnəmənt/

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[countable] (especially British English) an object that is used as decoration in a room, garden, etc. rather than for a particular purpose
- a glass/silver ornament
- (British English, North American English) Christmas tree ornaments
- There were a few china ornaments on the shelf above the fireplace.
Topics Houses and homesc2
[countable] (formal) an object that is worn as jewellery
- Archaeologists have uncovered necklaces, pendants and other personal ornaments from the third century.
[uncountable] (formal) the use of objects, designs, etc. as decoration
- The clock is simply for ornament; it doesn't work any more.
ornament to something (formal) a person or thing whose good qualities improve something
- The building is an ornament to the city.
ornaments
[plural] (music) features that are added when playing individual notes to make them more beautiful or interesting
- ornaments such as trills and mordents
- Ornaments are a crucial part of the baroque style.

Word OriginMiddle English (also in the sense ‘accessory’): from Old French ournement, from Latin ornamentum ‘equipment, ornament’, from ornare ‘adorn’. The verb dates from the early 18th cent.

ornament

verb

/ˈɔːnəment/

/ˈɔːrnəment/

[usually passive] (formal)

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they ornament	/ˈɔːnəment/ /ˈɔːrnəment/
he / she / it ornaments	/ˈɔːnəments/ /ˈɔːrnəments/
past simple ornamented	/ˈɔːnəmentɪd/ /ˈɔːrnəmentɪd/
past participle ornamented	/ˈɔːnəmentɪd/ /ˈɔːrnəmentɪd/
-ing form ornamenting	/ˈɔːnəmentɪŋ/ /ˈɔːrnəmentɪŋ/

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ornament something to add decoration to something synonym decorate
- a room richly ornamented with carving
Topics Houses and homesc2
Word OriginMiddle English (also in the sense ‘accessory’): from Old French ournement, from Latin ornamentum ‘equipment, ornament’, from ornare ‘adorn’. The verb dates from the early 18th cent.