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
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024
The interior was outfitted with mushroom leather, and the body was painted midnight blue, with L.E.D. lights in the now ornamental exhaust pipes.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
The law is part of an ongoing effort by lawmakers to reduce the amount of water used on ornamental lawns.
—Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2024
The living room here has an ornamental equine vibe—lit by a horse lamp, wall adorned with images of horses—except for the bookshelf, where what might have been a cowboy hat has been replaced by a Trump hat.
—Frederick Kaufman, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
Skeptics point out that in humpback whales’ songs, as well as those sung by many birds, complexity is ornamental: No matter how melodic a song’s composition, its underlying message is often just Let’s mate.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2024
April 5 & 12 Spring Plant Sale sponsored by Orange Coast College Horticulture, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the college in Costa Mesa features ornamental plants, herbs and vegetable seedlings propagated by horticulture students.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
Boxwoods that are trimmed into ornamental shapes can become weak with dead branches in the center.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
However, the Valmont School is an excellent representation and perhaps the best existing example of Harmon S. Palmer’s ornamental concrete block architecture.
—Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2024
Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2024
Preparing planting beds, pruning ornamentals and caring for potted plants all part of the San Diego County weather prep
December is gift-giving time, and what better gifts to give your gardening besties (or yourself) than the opportunity to become a better gardener?
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2023
Prune established ornamentals Winter is time to prune ornamental trees and shrubs.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2023
Refresh mulch — rock mulch for succulents, woody mulches for all non-succulent ornamentals.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2023
This book is especially relevant to gardeners interested in perennials and ornamentals.
—Jenna Clark, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2023
In areas with diverse geography, where hilly areas cast shadows on valleys, the changing hardiness zones might not mean Hoosiers have to shift the ornamentals in their lawns.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Sep. 2023
Observe how to prune fruit trees, grapes, roses, ornamentals, blueberries and vining berries.
—oregonlive, 17 Feb. 2023
There are some retail insecticide products as well as other insecticides that are labeled for these pests in ornamentals.
—oregonlive, 11 June 2023
Adjective
The new touch of ornamental stone adds some extra pizzaz, too.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024
The interior was outfitted with mushroom leather, and the body was painted midnight blue, with L.E.D. lights in the now ornamental exhaust pipes.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
The law is part of an ongoing effort by lawmakers to reduce the amount of water used on ornamental lawns.
—Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2024
The living room here has an ornamental equine vibe—lit by a horse lamp, wall adorned with images of horses—except for the bookshelf, where what might have been a cowboy hat has been replaced by a Trump hat.
—Frederick Kaufman, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
Skeptics point out that in humpback whales’ songs, as well as those sung by many birds, complexity is ornamental: No matter how melodic a song’s composition, its underlying message is often just Let’s mate.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2024
April 5 & 12 Spring Plant Sale sponsored by Orange Coast College Horticulture, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the college in Costa Mesa features ornamental plants, herbs and vegetable seedlings propagated by horticulture students.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
Boxwoods that are trimmed into ornamental shapes can become weak with dead branches in the center.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
However, the Valmont School is an excellent representation and perhaps the best existing example of Harmon S. Palmer’s ornamental concrete block architecture.
—Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2024
Noun
Ceanothus or California lilac is a worthy ornamental that blooms at this time in every shade of blue, the rarest flower color.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2024
Preparing planting beds, pruning ornamentals and caring for potted plants all part of the San Diego County weather prep
December is gift-giving time, and what better gifts to give your gardening besties (or yourself) than the opportunity to become a better gardener?
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2023
Prune established ornamentals Winter is time to prune ornamental trees and shrubs.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2023
Refresh mulch — rock mulch for succulents, woody mulches for all non-succulent ornamentals.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2023
This book is especially relevant to gardeners interested in perennials and ornamentals.
—Jenna Clark, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2023
In areas with diverse geography, where hilly areas cast shadows on valleys, the changing hardiness zones might not mean Hoosiers have to shift the ornamentals in their lawns.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Sep. 2023
Observe how to prune fruit trees, grapes, roses, ornamentals, blueberries and vining berries.
—oregonlive, 17 Feb. 2023
There are some retail insecticide products as well as other insecticides that are labeled for these pests in ornamentals.
—oregonlive, 11 June 2023
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 19 Apr. 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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