adorno
“adorno” means “decoration” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
decoration, ornament
Also: trimming
📝 In Action
Pusimos un adorno navideño en la puerta.
A1We put a Christmas decoration on the door.
El pastel tiene muchos adornos de azúcar.
A2The cake has many sugar decorations.
No me gustan los muebles con demasiados adornos.
B1I don't like furniture with too many ornaments.
flourish, embellishment
Also: grace note
📝 In Action
El pianista añadió un adorno a la melodía final.
B2The pianist added a flourish to the final melody.
Su discurso fue directo y sin adornos innecesarios.
C1His speech was direct and without unnecessary flourishes.
La caligrafía tiene muchos adornos elegantes.
B2The calligraphy has many elegant flourishes.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "adorno" in Spanish:
decoration→embellishment→flourish→grace note→ornament→trimming→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: adorno
Question 1 of 3
Which of the following is an 'adorno'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'adornāre', which meant 'to prepare', 'to equip', or 'to decorate'. It comes from 'ad-' (to) and 'ornāre' (to fit out or embellish).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'adorno' the same as 'joya' (jewelry)?
Not exactly. While jewelry is decorative, 'adorno' usually refers to objects used to decorate rooms, clothes, or things. Jewelry is almost always called 'joyas' or 'alhajas'.
Can I use 'adorno' for Christmas ornaments specifically?
Yes! While you can say 'bolas de Navidad' for Christmas balls, 'adornos navideños' is the perfect general term for all holiday decorations.
Is 'adorno' a verb form too?
Yes, 'adorno' is also the 'I' form of the verb 'adornar' (to decorate). For example: 'Yo adorno mi casa' (I decorate my house). However, as a noun, it means the decoration itself.