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
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Adjective
Some popular choices include ornamental grasses, salvias, angelonias, and coleus. Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2025 Thoughtful placement and layering with other plant types, such as ornamental grasses or conifers, can enhance privacy and maintain visual appeal throughout the year. Debbie Wolfe, Popular Science, 8 May 2025
Noun
Many deciduous ornamentals including redbuds, forsythia, crabapples, fruit trees, quince azaleas and many others were not adversely affected by last summer’s drought and the cold, windy winter and frozen soils that followed. Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025 Companion plants for ornamentals such as hydrangeas are selected for aesthetic purposes. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ornamental

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

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Cite this Entry

“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornamental. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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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