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 of ornamental
Relevance
Adjective
Noun
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
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
Crops like amaranth, chives, rainbow chard, red lettuces and sweet potatoes will add lovely ornamental value to beds, borders and containers before working a second shift on your dinner plate.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Wormwood Like rue, wormwood is another medicinal herb that’s typically grown as an ornamental these days and enjoyed for its delightfully pungent aroma.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ornamental
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Adjective
Evergreen shrubs provide year-round privacy, while deciduous shrubs commonly offer interesting ornamental traits such as flowers, fall foliage, or berries.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
Crops like amaranth, chives, rainbow chard, red lettuces and sweet potatoes will add lovely ornamental value to beds, borders and containers before working a second shift on your dinner plate.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
Noun
Featuring four miles of trails, SDBG has the largest public bamboo collection in North America; gardens representing different regions and flora of the world; and demonstration gardens showcasing fruits and vegetables, water-smart ornamentals, and native plants.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Wormwood Like rue, wormwood is another medicinal herb that’s typically grown as an ornamental these days and enjoyed for its delightfully pungent aroma.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ornamental
Cite this Entry
“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornamental. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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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