ornamental

1 of 2

adjective

or·​na·​men·​tal ˌȯr-nə-ˈmen-tᵊl 

: of, relating to, or serving as ornament

specifically : grown as an ornamental

ornamentally

ˌȯr-nə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

ornamental

2 of 2

noun

: a decorative object

especially : a plant cultivated for its beauty rather than for use

Synonyms

Adjective

• adorning
• beautifying
• cosmetic
• decorative
• embellishing

Noun

• bauble
• bibelot
• curio
• curiosity
• doodad
• gaud
• gewgaw
• geegaw
• gimcrack
• kickshaw
• knickknack
• nicknack
• novelty
• tchotchke
• trinket

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

Adjective

Snow and sleet was reported as far south as Sarasota and Melbourne, causing many accidents and traffic fatalities and extensive damage to winter crops and berries and ornamental nursery plants. —Jeffrey Schweers, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2025

Take English ivy, a popular choice for stabilizing soil as an ornamental plant. —Kylie Mohr, Vox, 8 Jan. 2025

Noun

These vertically growing junipers are used as privacy screens and backdrops for other ornamentals. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1595, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ornamental

1 of 2 adjective

or·​na·​men·​tal ˌȯr-nə-ˈment-ᵊl 

: of, relating to, or serving as ornament

ornamentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

ornamental

2 of 2 noun

: a decorative object

especially : a plant cultivated for its beauty rather than for use