ornamental

1 of 2

adjective

or·​na·​men·​tal ˌȯr-nə-ˈmen-tᵊl 

: of, relating to, or serving as ornament

specifically : grown as an ornamental

ornamentally

ˌȯr-nə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

ornamental

2 of 2

noun

: a decorative object

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

Synonyms of ornamental

Adjective

• decorative

Noun

• ornament
• novelty
• souvenir
• bauble
• knickknack
• trinket

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

Leaning into the equestrian aesthetic of it all, the 28-year-old accessorized with a pair of black leather knee-high boots with ornamental straps and a skinny black leather belt with gold hardware. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026

That skeleton isn’t just ornamental. —Ryan Brennan march 11, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026

Noun

To get the most benefits from DE, read our simple application tips for vegetables, herbs, ornamentals, and houseplants. —Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 10 Mar. 2026

Unlike ornamentals, which generally all go into the ground around Mother’s Day, vegetable crops have a specific planting window for success. —Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1595, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ornamental

• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental
• incidental
• incremental
• instrumental
• interdental
• monumental

Kids Definition

ornamental

1 of 2 adjective

or·​na·​men·​tal ˌȯr-nə-ˈment-ᵊl 

: of, relating to, or serving as ornament

ornamentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

ornamental

2 of 2 noun

: a decorative object

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