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

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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
At the entrance was a white table covered with keepsakes and ornamental photo frames. — Delia Rose Sauer, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026 The insect feeds on the sap of numerous wild, ornamental, and agricultural plants. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 July 2026
Noun
This substance, aptly named powdery mildew, is a common fungus that affects an array of ornamentals, vegetables, and herbs. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 May 2026 Mixing native plants with ornamentals and edibles creates eco-friendly and functional gardens. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 17 May 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
  • Luverne, which thanks to a local collector claims to have more of the decorative figurines than people, now boasts the world's tallest nutcracker too.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
  • If your goal is simply to hide the plastic nursery container, Steinkopf recommends placing it inside a decorative cachepot instead.
    — Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 21 July 2026
Definition of decorative
Noun
  • The ornament features a groom wearing a top hat and a bride wearing a crown.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 15 July 2026
  • The gallery posted a photo of the ornament on Instagram earlier this week.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Definition of ornament
Noun
  • Other novelties after the summer break require a subtler adjustment of the eye as players moved within the league.
    — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Maroni said that pairing is proving to be more than a novelty.
    — Sanidhya Sharma, Scientific American, 21 July 2026
Definition of novelty
Noun
  • That is a lot of money for a souvenir, even one too large to fit inside most homes.
    — Naomi Jeffries, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026
  • Come the weekend, the riverside has recently been closed to traffic, and packed full of food stalls and souvenir sellers.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2026
Definition of souvenir
Noun
  • Margot Robbie is just the latest to borrow a bauble from Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry box.
    — Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
  • Nearby Lost Art Jewelry sells handmade baubles by a master goldsmith.
    — Shilo Urban, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
Definition of bauble
Noun
  • But so can characters pushing the knickknack/plaything boundary, like porcelain figurines and piggy banks.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 18 June 2026
  • A lot of those people have Victoria Baumann and Charlie Moreton to thank, the father-daughter duo behind Victoria Essie Studio that produces fidget toys and other knickknacks out of their homes in North Carolina.
    — Jennifer Liu Valentina Duarte, CNBC, 14 June 2026
Definition of knickknack
Noun
  • Excessive Trinkets Having too many trinkets on your shelves can read as chaotic and disorganized.
    — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 July 2026
  • Haaland, who has already caught the world’s attention with his sprawling collection of Hermès bags and relatable love for a tacky trinket, was dressed to the nines.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Definition of trinket

Browse Nearby Words

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 24 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ornamental

Nglish: Translation of ornamental for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ornamental

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