ornamental 1 of 2

adjective

ˌȯr-nə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce ornamental (audio)
Definition of ornamentalnext
as in decorative
serving to add beauty the trim on Victorian houses is sometimes elaborately ornamental

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ornamental

2 of 2

noun

as in ornament
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest a collection of fragile ornamentals kept in a glass cabinet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ornamental
Adjective
Try lanceleaf coreopsis, calamint, butterfly milkweed, and ornamental onion. — Teresa Woodard, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Oct. 2026 The Cherry Blossom Garden Club will host horticulturist Yvonne Savio for a talk on growing edible and ornamental plants during our cooler months. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
Gardeners can naturally reduce beetle populations and protect their landscapes by planting geraniums among more susceptible ornamentals. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026 While the company has changed its product over the years, from produce to ornamentals, he's always grown to serve his local community. — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ornamental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ornamental
  1. decorative
  2. ornament
  3. novelty
  4. souvenir
  5. bauble
  6. knickknack
  7. trinket
Adjective
  • They’re all wrapped up in a decorative box with two bags of each flavor per day, and the set also comes in a vegan option with flavors like butterscotch, cherry pie, chocolate orange, and even gingerbread.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The well-size main bedroom has leafy views and another decorative fireplace, although the person doing the listing’s photos has oddly chosen to hide it behind a bed; the second bedroom can easily handle a bunk-bed situation plus a sideboard.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of decorative
Noun
  • Scarabs, serpents, vultures, lunar ornaments, ancient gods like Horus and Anubis carved from gold and lapis lazuli—all strategically placed on various points along the body.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026
  • With a tornado warning in effect Sunday afternoon, workers had decided to forgo blowing up the oversized lawn ornament.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of ornament
Noun
  • The general trivia and straight clues are also tough, and there’s a good amount of novelty, including 11 debut entries, a few oddballs among them, and one utterly brutal misdirect that significantly spiced up my solving experience.
    — Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • That difference is now proving itself in luxury real estate, where the quality of the experience determines whether surf is a fleeting novelty or an anchor with staying power.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of novelty
Noun
  • In other words, someone who spent $1,000 on what seemed like an outrageous baseball souvenir more than a decade ago could now have the opportunity to bring the whole family to the World Series without paying today's eye-popping resale prices.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Chen said another product category that has taken off is their souvenir merchandise.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of souvenir
Noun
  • Still, some of these baubles run the risk of being fragile, or priced outside my price range.
    — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Lured in by such shiny baubles, the responsible critic should avoid making premature, weepingly sincere pronouncements.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of bauble
Noun
  • Arrow Rock Antiques & Mercantile is stocked with vintage knickknacks and home decor items.
    — Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Décor To complement wall art, look for knickknacks and small décor items, such as statues, decorative trays, faux plants, and ceramic pieces.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of knickknack
Noun
  • Savvy shoppers are sure to find lots of trinkets and treasures at a bargain price.
    — Laura Daily, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2026
  • This isn’t a delicate desk trinket that cowers at a splash of rain.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of trinket

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ornament
ornamental
ornamentals
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Cite this Entry

“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ornamental. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ornamental

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ornamental

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