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
Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Nov. 2024
Previous research shows Neanderthals engaged in cultural rituals such as ornamental crafting, cave wall art, and even familial and social funeral burials.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 Nov. 2024
Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Nov. 2024
The three most common types of eucalyptus were brought there because people wanted them for either ornamentals or for timber trees.
—Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ornamental 
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
Answer: Enjoy this colorful flowering ornamental grass well into fall and early winter.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Nov. 2024
Previous research shows Neanderthals engaged in cultural rituals such as ornamental crafting, cave wall art, and even familial and social funeral burials.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
Other foxtail plants were not in the photo but nearby ornamentals appeared to be suffering from excessive water too.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Nov. 2024
The three most common types of eucalyptus were brought there because people wanted them for either ornamentals or for timber trees.
—Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ornamental
Dictionary Entries Near ornamental
Cite this Entry
“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornamental. Accessed 17 Dec. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share