ornamentation
/ˌɔː.nə.menˈteɪ.ʃən/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Ornamentation is extra decoration added to something to make it look more beautiful or impressive. It is often used for buildings, clothing, art, and writing.
- The temple had beautiful ornamentation.
- Her dress had gold ornamentation.
- The report had little ornamentation.
Adinary Nuance
Ornamentation is more formal than decoration. Use it when you mean added decorative details, especially in art, architecture, or writing. It can sound slightly technical, while decoration is more everyday.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sự trang trí
- Spanish
- ornamentación
- Chinese
- 装饰
- Japanese
- 装飾
- Korean
- 장식
Etymology
Ornamentation comes from Latin ornamentum, meaning “decoration” or “equipment.” It entered English through French in the late Middle Ages.
Common phrases
rich ornamentationfancy ornamentationornamentation detailswithout ornamentation
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is ornamentation a common everyday word?
- It is not very common in daily speech. You will see it more in writing, art, and academic contexts.
- What is the difference between ornamentation and decoration?
- Decoration is the general word. Ornamentation often means decorative details, and it sounds more formal.
- Can I use ornamentation for writing style?
- Yes. It can mean extra, unnecessary decorative language in writing.