ornamental
/,ɔ:nə'mentl/
Definition
Adjective:
- Serving a decorative rather than a practical purpose: Describes something that is used or intended for decoration, to make something look more attractive, rather than for a useful function.
- Relating to or used as an ornament: Pertaining to the nature of an ornament.
Noun:
- A plant grown for its beauty: Any plant cultivated primarily for its decorative appearance rather than for food or other practical uses.
Usage and Examples
Adjective:
- The intricate iron gates were purely ornamental; they did not lock.
- She wore an ornamental pin on her lapel.
- The vase is beautiful but ornamental; it cannot hold water.
Noun:
- The garden was filled with colorful ornamentals like roses and peonies.
- He specializes in growing rare ornamentals for botanical gardens.
Advanced Usage
- "Ornamental purpose": A function that is solely for decoration.
- The carvings on the pillars served an ornamental purpose only.
- "Ornamental feature": A part or detail of something that is decorative.
- The building's facade had many ornamental features, including statues and reliefs.
Variants and Related Words
- Ornament (n): A thing used or serving to make something look more attractive but usually having no practical purpose.
- The Christmas tree was covered with shiny ornaments.
- Ornament (v): To make something more attractive by adding decorative items.
- She ornamented the cake with silver balls.
- Ornamentation (n): The use of ornaments; decoration.
- The room was lavish in its ornamentation.
- Ornamentally (adv): In a way that serves as decoration.
- The vines grew ornamentally over the trellis.
Synonyms
- Decorative: Serving to make something look more attractive.
- Adornment: Something that decorates or adorns.
- Embellishment: A decorative detail or feature added to something to make it more attractive.
- Cosmetic: Done or applied to improve appearance, often superficially.
Antonyms
- Utilitarian: Designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive.
- Functional: Of or having a special activity, purpose, or task.
- Practical: Concerned with the actual doing or use of something rather than with theory and ideas.
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Ornamental horticulture: The branch of horticulture focused on growing and using plants for decorative purposes in gardens and landscapes.
- Ornamental pond: A pond constructed primarily for visual appeal in a garden, rather than for swimming or fish farming.
Adjective
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serving an esthetic rather than a useful purpose
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cosmetic fenders on cars
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the buildings were utilitarian rather than decorative
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Noun
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any plant grown for its beauty or ornamental value
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