ornamentation

noun

or·​na·​men·​ta·​tion ˌȯr-nə-mən-ˈtā-shən 

-ˌmen-

1

: something that ornaments : embellishment

2

: the act or process of ornamenting : the state of being ornamented

Synonyms

• adornment
• beautifier
• caparison
• decoration
• doodad
• embellisher
• embellishment
• frill
• garnish
• garnishment
• garniture
• ornament
• setoff
• trim

Examples of ornamentation in a Sentence

A bright ribbon was used for ornamentation.

a ballroom with elaborate ornamentation

Recent Examples on the Web

Strong lines that team up to form geometric designs, metallic accents, luxe materials like marble and velvet, and eye-catching ornamentation are certainly part of the style's foundation, true. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2025

The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, and bearing only the inscription: Franciscus. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025

The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025

Through the 18th and into the 19th centuries, the Classical Revival house style represented a turn to simplicity after the lavish ornamentation of previous periods like French Rococo, and that clean austerity still has appeal today. —Lauren Gallow, Architectural Digest, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ornamentation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration