ornament
An object used to beautify, decorate, or adorn a person, space, or holiday tree; as a verb, to decorate or adorn.
As a noun, ornament refers to a physical object whose primary purpose is aesthetic enhancement rather than utility. As a verb, it emphasizes the act of adding beauty.
Word relationships
- decoration: Decoration is a broader term that can include lights, paint, or banners, whereas ornament usually refers to a specific, individual decorative object.
- embellishment: Embellishment often implies adding extra, sometimes unnecessary details to something, while ornament is a standard decorative piece.
- blemish: A blemish is a flaw or mark that spoils the appearance of something, whereas an ornament enhances it.
- eyesore: An eyesore is something that is extremely ugly or unpleasant to look at.
Commonly confused with
- ornate: Ornate is an adjective meaning highly decorated, while ornament is the noun representing the decorative object itself.
Word family
- ornamental (adjective): Serving as an ornament; decorative.
- ornation (noun): The act of decorating or adorning.
Collocations
- holiday ornament
- glass ornament
- ornament a tree
- decorative ornament
Example sentences
- "She carefully hung the delicate glass ornament on the sturdiest branch of the tree." A family decorating their winter holiday tree with heirloom decorations.
Memory hook
An 'ornament' is placed 'on' a tree to make it 'mental'ly beautiful to look at. Ornaments adorn our spaces.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to functional additions to an object; an ornament must have aesthetic decoration as its primary purpose.
Fun facts
- In music, an 'ornament' refers to notes that are not necessary to the overall melodic line but serve to decorate the melody, such as trills.
Explore more words
ornamental, adorn, amulet, embellish, embellished, aesthetic
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