What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
adornment
Example
The adornment of the room with flowers and paintings made it look more inviting. [adornment: noun]
Example
She wore a beautiful necklace as an adornment to her dress. [adornment: noun]
ornament
Example
The Christmas tree was decorated with colorful ornaments. [ornament: noun]
Example
She wore a beautiful hair ornament to match her dress. [ornament: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ornament is more commonly used than adornment in everyday language. Ornament is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while adornment is less common and refers to a more specific act of decoration.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between adornment and ornament?
Both adornment and ornament are formal words that are used in more elevated language. However, ornament is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.