ornamental

1 of 2

adjective

or·​na·​men·​tal ˌȯr-nə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce ornamental (audio)
Synonyms of ornamental
: of, relating to, or serving as ornament
specifically : grown as an ornamental
ornamentally
ˌȯr-nə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē How to pronounce ornamental (audio)
adverb

ornamental

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms of ornamental

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Adjective

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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.
Adjective
Trump had refurbished two ornamental fountains, for seventeen million dollars, and wants the park to have forty-seven maple trees, in homage to himself. — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026 The brick pathway at my feet passed through a small ornamental fence, crossed some scrubby grass, then ran up the steps to the Helen Keller Birthplace at Ivy Green. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
Often stitched on velvet, the beads are used as an ornamental, archival and educational tool. — Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Select a fungicide labeled for leaf spots on ornamentals and follow the label. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ornamental

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1595, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ornamental was in 1595

Rhymes for ornamental

See All Rhymes for ornamental

Browse Nearby Words

ornament
ornamental
ornamentalism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornamental. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ornamental

1 of 2 adjective
or·​na·​men·​tal ˌȯr-nə-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce ornamental (audio)
: of, relating to, or serving as ornament
ornamentally
-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce ornamental (audio)
adverb

ornamental

2 of 2 noun
: a decorative object
especially : a plant cultivated for its beauty rather than for use

More from Merriam-Webster on ornamental

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ornamental

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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