be adorned with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be adorned with" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing something that is decorated or embellished with specific items or features. An example is: "The gown was adorned with intricate lace and sparkling beads." Alternative expressions include "be decorated with" and "be embellished with."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The museum will be adorned with trees.

The New York Times

Soon the vast Piazza dell'Unita (1) will be adorned with festive lights and twin Christmas trees.

Independent

It could be adorned with metal rivets or covered with menacing-looking spikes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Delivery vehicles that collect the spaza owners' payments, called "cash vans", used to be adorned with branding.

The Economist

By the late '20s, some courses had begun to be adorned with sculptural figures like horses and whales.

The New York Times

"Tomorrow may you be adorned with our dresses, our cosmetics and rouge!" Such words may not fly with H.R., but they do make for compelling 17th-century theater.

The New York Times

Mr Ai says officials dismissed suggestions that Beijing airport's new terminal, designed by Sir Norman Foster and opened for the games, should be adorned with modern art.

The Economist

To sweeten their appeal, the toilets will be adorned with street art and graffiti to reflect each location within the Glastonbury site.

The Guardian - Music

At the Met, the stage will be adorned with a Mediterranean Sea of fifty thousand L.E.D. lights, designed by the Québécois theatre impresario Robert Lepage.

The New Yorker

On Christmas Day her whole flat will be adorned with other people's cards which she'll have stolen from her block's mail boxes.

The Guardian

Attendees are encouraged to dress up – with prizes for the best costumes – and the venue will also be adorned with plenty of spooky decorations.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be adorned with" to describe something that is decorated or embellished in a way that enhances its appearance. This phrase is particularly suitable when discussing formal or visually appealing additions.

Common error

Avoid using "be adorned with" in casual or informal situations where simpler terms like "decorated with" or "have" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a degree of formality that can sound unnatural in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be adorned with" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject is receiving the action of being decorated or embellished. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in various writing contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be adorned with" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes the act of decorating or embellishing something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for various writing contexts, particularly those requiring a neutral to formal tone. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, wiki articles, and formal business documents. When using "be adorned with", ensure that it aligns with the context's level of formality, avoiding its use in casual conversations where simpler alternatives would suffice. Its function is to emphasize the aesthetic qualities and decorative elements of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be decorated with

Focuses more on the act of decorating, implying a broader range of decorative actions.

be embellished with

Emphasizes intricate or elaborate detailing in the decoration.

be ornamented with

Highlights the addition of ornaments, which are typically small, decorative items.

be graced with

Suggests a more elegant or refined form of adornment, implying beauty and sophistication.

be festooned with

Implies being decorated with garlands, ribbons, or other decorative elements hung in a curve.

be decked out with

Implies a more festive or extravagant style of decoration, often used for celebrations.

be arrayed with

Suggests a formal and elaborate arrangement or display of decorative elements.

be enriched with

Highlights the addition of elements that enhance the value or quality of something.

feature

Indicates the inclusion of specific elements as part of the overall design or appearance.

showcase

Implies a deliberate display of certain elements to highlight their importance or attractiveness.

FAQs

How can I use "be adorned with" in a sentence?

Use "be adorned with" to describe something that is decorated or embellished with something else. For example, "The hall will "be adorned with" flowers for the ceremony".

What can I say instead of "be adorned with"?

Alternatives include "be decorated with", "be embellished with", or "be graced with", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "is adorned by" instead of "be adorned with"?

While "be adorned with" indicates something is decorated by something else, "be adorned by" suggests the subject itself is doing the adorning, which changes the meaning. "Be adorned with" is typically the more appropriate and common construction when describing decoration.

What is the difference between "be adorned with" and "be covered with"?

"Be covered with" suggests that something is largely or entirely concealed by something else. "Be adorned with", on the other hand, implies that something is decorated or embellished, but not necessarily fully covered. For example a house can "be covered with snow", but can "be adorned with lights".