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
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
Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
Boxwoods that are trimmed into ornamental shapes can become weak with dead branches in the center.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
However, the Valmont School is an excellent representation and perhaps the best existing example of Harmon S. Palmer’s ornamental concrete block architecture.
—Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2024
Over the past century, the aphorism has become a battle cry for architects and designers, defining a modernist aesthetic that champions the minimal and the refined over the busy and the ornamental as a path toward better living.
—Lauren Gallow, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2024
Related Articles Plant a beautiful ground cover or ornamental edible: 5 things to do in the garden
Clean out your closets to help children here and in Africa, Ukraine and elsewhere
5.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2024
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
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
Adjective
April 5 & 12 Spring Plant Sale sponsored by Orange Coast College Horticulture, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the college in Costa Mesa features ornamental plants, herbs and vegetable seedlings propagated by horticulture students.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
Boxwoods that are trimmed into ornamental shapes can become weak with dead branches in the center.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
However, the Valmont School is an excellent representation and perhaps the best existing example of Harmon S. Palmer’s ornamental concrete block architecture.
—Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2024
Over the past century, the aphorism has become a battle cry for architects and designers, defining a modernist aesthetic that champions the minimal and the refined over the busy and the ornamental as a path toward better living.
—Lauren Gallow, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2024
Related Articles Plant a beautiful ground cover or ornamental edible: 5 things to do in the garden
Clean out your closets to help children here and in Africa, Ukraine and elsewhere
5.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2024
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
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.
Dictionary Entries Near ornamental
Cite this Entry
“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornamental. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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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