# ornament

/ˈɔɹnəmənt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ornament
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. decorative object

noun · CEFR B2

a small, pretty object you use to decorate a room or a tree.

For teachers: a decorative object or detail used to embellish the appearance of a room, garment, or other item.

- She placed a small glass ornament on the shelf to brighten the room.
- The mantelpiece was crowded with various ceramic ornaments collected during their travels across Europe.

### 2. musical flourish

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

extra notes added to a melody to make it sound more beautiful or complex.

For teachers: musical flourishes, such as trills or appoggiaturas, that decorate a melodic line without being essential to its basic structure.

- The pianist added a delicate ornament to the end of the phrase.
- Baroque compositions often require the performer to improvise ornaments to enhance the expressive quality of the slow movements.

### 3. biological feature

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a physical feature of an animal, like bright feathers, used to attract a mate.

For teachers: a physical trait, often elaborate or brightly coloured, that serves a decorative function in mate selection.

- The peacock's long, colourful tail is a famous example of a biological ornament.
- Evolutionary biologists study how specific ornaments, such as antlers or bright plumage, influence reproductive success within a species.

### 4. to decorate

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to add decoration to something to make it look better.

For teachers: to adorn or embellish something; to make more aesthetically pleasing through the addition of decorative elements.

- Hand-painted flowers were used to ornament the wooden chest.
- The architect chose to ornament the columns with intricate carvings that reflected the building's historical significance.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice.

## Examples

- She placed a small glass ornament on the shelf.
- During the holidays, the family gathers to hang every traditional ornament on the tree.
- The architect argued that the building's beauty should come from its proportions rather than from any applied ornament or superficial decoration.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.