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
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
Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 27 July 2025
What once felt human and hard-earned now feels ornamental—language that sounds noble, but lands with very little weight.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
Scales attack a variety of plants including woody ornamentals such as boxwoods, camellias and hollies, young trees such as maples, and houseplants.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ornamental
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Adjective
One of the primary culprits behind this ecological unraveling is habitat loss, driven by urban development, industrial agriculture, and the widespread use of non-native ornamental plants.
—Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 27 July 2025
What once felt human and hard-earned now feels ornamental—language that sounds noble, but lands with very little weight.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Noun
Aphids are tiny soft-bodied pests that feed on a variety of plants, including vegetables, ornamentals, trees, shrubs, and houseplants.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
Scales attack a variety of plants including woody ornamentals such as boxwoods, camellias and hollies, young trees such as maples, and houseplants.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ornamental
Cite this Entry
“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornamental. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.
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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