verb

adorn

uh-DORN/əˈdɔːrn/

To decorate or add beauty to something.

The person adorns the straw hat with flowers and a ribbon.

A person carefully adds a short ribbon bow and a sprig of fresh flowers to a plain straw hat, making it more beautiful; close view of hands, hat and flowers only, no words.

Etymology

The central verb covered furnishing or fitting something out as well as decorating it. Adorn carries the decorative side of that range: supplying something that makes a person or object more beautiful.

In context

Storytime Haven28:22

No herb or shrub appeared to adorn the region, yet, as they proceeded, suddenly beneath them extended a wondrous patch of pale, purple inflorescence and the fragrance of lavender rose to their nostrils.

The lavender dragon by Eden Phillpotts | Fantasy Full Audiobook

More examples

She adorns the doorway with a handmade wreath.
Carved figures adorned the old wooden chest.
They spend the afternoon adorning the stage with ribbons.

Forms

adorn · adorns · adorned · adorning

adornment noun — Something added to make a thing more attractive.

Similar words

decorate: The more ordinary word for adding visual ornament.
embellish: Often means adding elaborate details to something already complete.