or·na·men·tal
ˌȯr-nə-ˈmen-tᵊl 
: of, relating to, or serving as ornament
specifically
: grown as an ornamental
: a decorative object
especially
: a plant cultivated for its beauty rather than for use
Synonyms
Examples of ornamental in a Sentence
Adjective
The garden has many ornamental shrubs.
the trim on Victorian houses is sometimes elaborately ornamental
Noun
The garden has many beautiful ornamentals.
a collection of fragile ornamentals kept in a glass cabinet
Recent Examples on the Web
Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Dec. 2024
When worn like this, the garment loses some functionality to become just another ornamental object in our outfits.
—Teresa Romero Martínez, Glamour, 8 Dec. 2024
Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Nov. 2024
The three most common types of eucalyptus were brought there because people wanted them for either ornamentals or for timber trees.
—Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ornamental 
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Adjective
Deer drawn into residential areas will also start gobbling up ornamental landscaping, says Fuda, which is something no gardener wants.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Dec. 2024
When worn like this, the garment loses some functionality to become just another ornamental object in our outfits.
—Teresa Romero Martínez, Glamour, 8 Dec. 2024
Noun
Other foxtail plants were not in the photo but nearby ornamentals appeared to be suffering from excessive water too.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Nov. 2024
The three most common types of eucalyptus were brought there because people wanted them for either ornamentals or for timber trees.
—Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ornamental
Dictionary Entries Near ornamental
Cite this Entry
“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornamental. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ornamental
1 of 2 adjective
or·na·men·tal
ˌȯr-nə-ˈment-ᵊl
: of, relating to, or serving as ornament
ornamental
2 of 2 noun
: a decorative object
especially
: a plant cultivated for its beauty rather than for use
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