ornamental

1 of 2

adjective

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

ornamental

2 of 2

noun

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

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
Nearby, the formal dining room is decked out with backlit Italian quartzite wall panels behind floating glass shelves, another stone fireplace, and a high-gloss lacquered ceiling with ornamental antique molding. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 Dark brick will populate the facade, while the balconies on each unit will boast custom, ornamental copper metalwork to add texture and shine to the building. The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2024 The building now sits empty, the garden overgrown and a big rusting lock hanging on its ornamental gate. Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 17 Feb. 2024 Both of my degrees are from Ohio State, one in floriculture (greenhouses) and my Masters in ornamental horticulture (nursery crops). Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2024 More upmarket ashram than spa, it is built around giant boulders and babbling streams, with ornamental pools and waterfalls that flow down to a sliver of beach. Chloe Bottero, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2024 So are ornamental species such as spirea, mountain ash, goatsbeard, and ninebark. Deb Wiley, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2024 An excellent choice for a small ornamental tree with year-round interest is the kumquat or one of its relatives. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 2024 In addition to the farmers’ concerns, the department of natural resources reported thousands of deer-vehicle collisions and natural and ornamental vegetation damage. Tony Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2024
Noun
Ceanothus or California lilac is a worthy ornamental that blooms at this time in every shade of blue, the rarest flower color. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2024 Preparing planting beds, pruning ornamentals and caring for potted plants all part of the San Diego County weather prep December is gift-giving time, and what better gifts to give your gardening besties (or yourself) than the opportunity to become a better gardener? Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2023 Prune established ornamentals Winter is time to prune ornamental trees and shrubs. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2023 Refresh mulch — rock mulch for succulents, woody mulches for all non-succulent ornamentals. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2023 This book is especially relevant to gardeners interested in perennials and ornamentals. Jenna Clark, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2023 In areas with diverse geography, where hilly areas cast shadows on valleys, the changing hardiness zones might not mean Hoosiers have to shift the ornamentals in their lawns. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Sep. 2023 Observe how to prune fruit trees, grapes, roses, ornamentals, blueberries and vining berries. oregonlive, 17 Feb. 2023 There are some retail insecticide products as well as other insecticides that are labeled for these pests in ornamentals. oregonlive, 11 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ornamental.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near ornamental

Cite this Entry

“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornamental. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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 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

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