v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' do ̇ rn
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin adornare, from ad- + ornare to furnish ― more at ORNATE
Date: 14th century
1 : to enhance the appearance of especially with beautiful objects
2 : to enliven or decorate as if with ornaments <people of fashion who adorn ed the Court>
synonyms ADORN , DECORATE , ORNAMENT , EMBELLISH , BEAUTIFY , DECK , GARNISH mean to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential. ADORN implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself <a diamond necklace adorned her neck>. DECORATE suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design < decorate a birthday cake>. ORNAMENT and EMBELLISH imply the adding of something extraneous, ORNAMENT stressing the heightening or setting off of the original <a white house ornamented with green shutters>, EMBELLISH often stressing the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament < embellish a page with floral borders>. BEAUTIFY adds to EMBELLISH a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness <will beautify the grounds with flower beds>. DECK implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness <a house all decked out for Christmas>. GARNISH suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food <an entrée garnished with parsley>.