Library / English Dictionary

ORNAMENTAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Any plant grown for its beauty or ornamental value

Classified under:

Nouns denoting plants

Hypernyms ("ornamental" is a kind of...):

flora; plant; plant life ((botany) a living organism lacking the power of locomotion)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "ornamental"):

flowering maple (an ornamental plant of the genus Abutilon having leaves that resemble maple leaves)

Derivation:

ornamental (serving an esthetic rather than a useful purpose)

 II. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Serving an esthetic rather than a useful purpose

Example:

the buildings were utilitarian rather than decorative

Synonyms:

cosmetic; decorative; ornamental

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

nonfunctional (not having or performing a function)

Derivation:

ornament (something used to beautify)

ornamental (any plant grown for its beauty or ornamental value)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Bless my soul, when I see her getting up by candle-light on these dark mornings, busying herself in the day's arrangements, going out to market before the clerks come into the Inn, caring for no weather, devising the most capital little dinners out of the plainest materials, making puddings and pies, keeping everything in its right place, always so neat and ornamental herself, sitting up at night with me if it's ever so late, sweet-tempered and encouraging always, and all for me, I positively sometimes can't believe it, Copperfield!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)