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
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
Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Cuban treefrogs tend to lay their eggs in small artificial water sources, such as buckets, bird baths, ornamental ponds, clogged gutters, rain barrels, flower pots, kiddie pools, and water troughs.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025
Multipurpose nasturtiums can be grown for their edible flowers and leaves, or enjoyed as pollinator-friendly ornamentals.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ornamental
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Adjective
Smaller accessories like handmade sconces adorn the walls, demonstrating the duo’s flair for ornamental detail and ultra refined taste.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Cuban treefrogs tend to lay their eggs in small artificial water sources, such as buckets, bird baths, ornamental ponds, clogged gutters, rain barrels, flower pots, kiddie pools, and water troughs.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
Companion plants for ornamentals such as hydrangeas are selected for aesthetic purposes.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025
Multipurpose nasturtiums can be grown for their edible flowers and leaves, or enjoyed as pollinator-friendly ornamentals.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ornamental
Cite this Entry
“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornamental. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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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