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
Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 18 May 2024
This staggering helps to maintain pollinator attraction as well as maintaining seasonal aesthetic interest in a mixed ornamental garden.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2024
Nadia Hassani, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2024
Here evergreen ornamentals such as dwarf cypress and Pittosporum alongside burgundy Loropetalum and heuchera create depth and texture with a cohesive flow.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ornamental 
Adjective
Of course, the most outstanding ornamental assets of this tree are the aforementioned flowers which appear in every version of pink and purple with milky white varieties available as well.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 18 May 2024
This staggering helps to maintain pollinator attraction as well as maintaining seasonal aesthetic interest in a mixed ornamental garden.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2024
Noun
While all pumpkins are edible, some varieties are primarily used as ornamentals and others are also good for cooking and baking.
—Nadia Hassani, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2024
Here evergreen ornamentals such as dwarf cypress and Pittosporum alongside burgundy Loropetalum and heuchera create depth and texture with a cohesive flow.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ornamental
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ornamental.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ornamental
Cite this Entry
“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornamental. Accessed 7 Jun. 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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