ornamental

1 of 2

adjective

or·​na·​men·​tal ˌȯr-nə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce ornamental (audio)
: of, relating to, or serving as ornament
specifically : grown as an ornamental
ornamentally adverb

ornamental

2 of 2

noun

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

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
The former Princess of Wales is buried on an island at an ornamental lake known as The Round Oval, nestled within Althorp Park’s Pleasure Garden on the property. Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 15 Oct. 2024 Add hints of lighter colors with pastel pumpkins and flowers mixed in with darker-colored plants like ornamental kale and creeping jenny. Claire Hoppe, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2024
Noun
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 However, with such a large group, almost any plant can be attacked, from houseplants to outdoor ornamentals. Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 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.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1595, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ornamental was in 1595

Dictionary Entries Near ornamental

Cite this Entry

“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornamental. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

ornamental

1 of 2 adjective
or·​na·​men·​tal ˌȯr-nə-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce ornamental (audio)
: of, relating to, or serving as ornament
ornamentally adverb

ornamental

2 of 2 noun
: a decorative object
especially : a plant cultivated for its beauty rather than for use

More from Merriam-Webster on ornamental

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