ornament

ornament — noun

1. a decorative object kept mainly to make a place or thing look nicer, not to do a

1.nounC2
Definition

a decorative object kept mainly to make a place or thing look nicer, not to do a practical job

Example

A glass ornament hung above the fireplace in Nina's apartment.

glass ornament in a room

Leo bought a bird ornament for the shelf by his bed.

bird ornament on a shelf

Common collocations
  • glass ornament
  • tree ornament
  • garden ornament
  • silver ornament
Synonyms
  • decoration

    broader and more common; it can mean an object, a pattern, or a whole decorative style

  • bauble

    usually a small shiny ornament, especially on a Christmas tree

  • trinket

    a small object of little value, sometimes decorative rather than useful

  • adornment

    more formal and often used for decorative detail rather than one object

Grammar Patterns

a glass ornament

a tree ornament

a garden ornament

Usage Note

Usually countable. Common for objects on shelves, trees, tables, or in gardens. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense names the separate object itself, not decoration as a feature or effect.

Common Mistakes

The red pattern around the plate is an ornament.
The red pattern around the plate is ornament.
Sense 1 is a separate object; a decorative feature on something is usually sense 2.

2. decorative detail added to something to improve its appearance, or the use of su

2.nounC2
Definition

decorative detail added to something to improve its appearance, or the use of such detail

Example

Around the mirror, gold ornament made the hotel lobby feel warmer.

ornament around a mirror

Painted ornament on the ceiling drew guests' eyes toward the front desk.

painted ornament on a ceiling

Common collocations
  • painted ornament
  • gold ornament
  • ornament around a mirror
  • ornament above a gate
Synonyms
  • decoration

    the broad everyday word for added visual detail

  • adornment

    more formal and often used in writing about art, dress, or buildings

  • trim

    often means a narrow decorative edge on clothes, furniture, or walls

  • embellishment

    suggests extra detail added for a richer effect, often in more formal style

Antonyms
  • plainness

    suggests the absence of decorative detail

Grammar Patterns

ornament on a ceiling

gold ornament around a mirror

without ornament

Usage Note

Often used in art, design, or architecture contexts, and commonly uncountable. Distinguish from sense 1, which refers to a separate decorative object you can place somewhere.

Common Mistakes

She bought new ornament for the Christmas tree.
She bought new ornaments for the Christmas tree.
When you mean the hanging objects themselves, use sense 1 and usually a countable plural noun.

3. someone or something that brings honour to a place, group, or occasion because o

3.nounC2
Definition

someone or something that brings honour to a place, group, or occasion because of its good qualities

Example

Maya's calm voice was an ornament to the town's music festival.

be an ornament to + event

The local paper called Professor Lin an ornament to the small college.

call + person + ornament to

Common collocations
  • ornament to the city
  • ornament to society
  • ornament to the team
  • ornament to the occasion
Synonyms
  • credit

    the nearest everyday equivalent in phrases like a credit to the school

  • honour

    stronger and more solemn, often stressing respect

  • asset

    more practical and modern, stressing usefulness rather than elegance

  • pride

    used when something makes people feel pleased and proud

Antonyms
  • disgrace

    a strong opposite when someone damages a group's reputation

Grammar Patterns

an ornament to the city

an ornament to the team

an ornament to society

Usage Note

Formal and often literary. Usually appears in the pattern ornament to + place, group, or occasion. Distinguish from senses 1 and 2, which are about literal decoration.

Common Mistakes

The vase is an ornament to the shelf.
The vase is an ornament on the shelf.
Sense 3 is a figurative formal use about bringing honour or distinction, not simple physical position.

ornament — verb

Word family

  • ornamental
    adjectiveC2
  • ornamentation
    nounC2
  • ornate
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For sense 1, ornament usually means a separate pretty object whose main purpose is to improve the look of a place or thing. Decoration is broader and more common: it can mean one object, a pattern, lights, paper stars, or an overall visual style. Adornment is more formal and often refers to decorative detail on clothes, buildings, or even language. Bauble suggests a small shiny ornament, especially one hung on a Christmas tree, and it can sound slightly cheap. Trinket usually means a small decorative object or piece of jewellery with little value. You can put an ornament on a shelf, but silver thread on a dress is more naturally called decoration or adornment.

ornament ↗decoration ↗adornmentbaubletrinket ↗

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Ornament came into English from Old French ornement, which came from Latin ornamentum. That Latin word is linked to ornare, meaning to equip, decorate, or make ready. In English, the idea developed from fitting something out into the modern senses of decorative objects, added beauty, and, in formal use, a person or thing that brings honour to a place.