What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
adornment
Example
The room was filled with beautiful adornments, such as paintings and sculptures. [adornments: noun]
Example
She spent hours adorning her wedding dress with lace and pearls. [adorning: verb]
accessory
Example
The phone case is a necessary accessory for protecting your device. [accessory: noun]
Example
She wore a scarf as an accessory to her outfit. [accessory: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Accessory is more commonly used than adornment in everyday language. Accessory is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while adornment is less common and more specific to decorative items.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between adornment and accessory?
Both adornment and accessory are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
