ornamental
gb/ˌɔɹnəmˈɛntəl/ us/ˌɔɹnəmˈɛntəl/
B2
English
~ 8700
díszítő, csak dísz, dekoratív, dísztárgy, dísznövény, díszítő célú
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is ornamental
The old fireplace is no longer used for heating; it is purely ornamental now.
A régi kandallót már nem használják fűtésre; ma már csak dísz.
The building’s ornamental stonework was restored to its original condition.
Az épület díszítő kőfaragásait eredeti állapotuknak megfelelően restaurálták.
She chose a simple dress with an ornamental collar and cuffs.
The gate is ornamental rather than secure, and could be pushed open easily.
They added an ornamental border around the text to make the invitation look elegant.
Learner examples
The clock on the wall is only ornamental; it does not work.
A falióra csak dísz; nem működik.
There is an ornamental mirror above the sofa.
A kanapé fölött egy dekoratív tükör van.
The table has many small ornamental carvings on the legs.
He wore an ornamental belt with a large, shiny buckle.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "ornamental" when they mean "decorated". "Ornamental" usually describes something whose main purpose is decoration, while "decorated" describes something that has been made more beautiful but may still have a strong practical use (e.g., a decorated cake that you can eat).
Meaning
decorative rather than useful
Collocations
ornamental detail
|ornamental pattern
|ornamental border
|ornamental design
|ornamental metalwork
|purely ornamental
Synonyms
decorative (The most general word; does not strongly suggest lack of function the way "ornamental" often does.)
Antonyms
functional (Emphasizes that something is mainly designed to work or be useful, not just to look nice.)
Themes
design
|art
|home
|fashion
|daily_life
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to make something look nice, not to do a job or be useful.
Used mainly to make something look more attractive, and not to serve a practical or necessary function.
NOUN
C1
2
dísztárgy
B1
Usage pattern:
an ornamental on [something]
She bought a little glass ornamental for the top shelf of the bookcase.
Vett egy kis üveg dísztárgyat a könyvszekrény legfelső polcára.
The table was crowded with china ornamentals that had belonged to her grandmother.
Az asztal zsúfolásig tele volt porcelán dísztárgyakkal, amelyek a nagymamájáé voltak.
He knocked over an ornamental on the mantelpiece and broke it in two.
The shop sells candles, vases, and other small ornamentals for the home.
Please dust the ornamentals on the windowsill carefully; they are very fragile.
Learner examples
There are many small ornamentals on my desk.
Sok kis dísztárgy van az íróasztalomon.
She put a new ornamental on the shelf.
Egy új dísztárgyat tett a polcra.
He likes to buy ornamentals when he travels.
I broke the glass ornamental by accident.
Common mistake:
Learners more often know the noun "ornament" and may not realize that "ornamental" can also be used as a noun. The noun "ornament" is more common in modern English; "ornamental" as a noun is relatively formal or rare in everyday speech.
Meaning
small decorative object
Collocations
glass ornamental
|garden ornamentals
|small ornamentals
|ceramic ornamental
|Christmas ornamentals
Synonyms
knick-knack (Informal; suggests a small, often cheap decorative object in the home.)
Antonyms
tool (Emphasizes a practical object that is used to do something, not just for decoration.)
Themes
home
|daily life
|shopping
|housing
|daily_life
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A small thing you put in a room or garden to make it look nice, not to use for a job.
A small decorative object that is mainly used to make a place look attractive and has little or no practical function.
B2
TECHNICAL
3
dísznövény
B1
díszítő célú
B2
Usage pattern:
ornamental [plant / tree / shrub]
The front yard is filled with ornamental plants rather than vegetables.
Az előkertben zöldségek helyett dísznövények vannak.
They specialize in ornamental grasses for modern landscape design.
A modern tájépítészetben használt díszfüvekre szakosodtak.
Several ornamental trees along the street had to be removed after the storm.
Ornamental horticulture is a major industry in this region.
The park includes both native species and imported ornamental shrubs.
Learner examples
We grow ornamental plants in front of the house.
Dísznövényeket nevelünk a ház előtt.
The garden has many ornamental trees.
A kertben sok díszfa van.
She bought some ornamental flowers for the balcony.
Farmers grow food plants; the city grows ornamental plants in the park.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that "ornamental" in gardening often contrasts with "edible" or "crop" plants, and may try to use it for any beautiful plant. In professional contexts, it usually means plants grown only or mainly for appearance.
Meaning
decorative (of plants, gardens)
Collocations
ornamental plant
|ornamental shrub
|ornamental tree
|ornamental grass
|ornamental garden
|ornamental horticulture
Synonyms
decorative (General word; does not specifically refer to horticulture the way "ornamental" does in this sense.)
Antonyms
edible (Used for plants that are grown to be eaten, in contrast with plants grown just to look attractive.)
Themes
nature
|gardening
|science
|daily_life
|housing
Definition
Used about plants that people grow because they look nice, not because they give food or wood.
Describes plants, trees, or gardens that are grown mainly for their decorative appearance, not for food or other practical products.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ornamental
IPA
GB/ˌɔɹnəmˈɛntəl/
US/ˌɔɹnəmˈɛntəl/
Syllables & stress
or - na - ment - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ment)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: ornamental
Noun
- Base: ornamental
- Plural: ornamentals
Word family
Expressions
ornamental plant
1/ˌɔɹnəmˈɛntəl plˈænt/
fixed phrase
technical
plant grown for decoration
A plant that people grow because it looks nice, not because they want to eat it or use it for something.
Examples
- The nursery sells both fruit trees and ornamental plants.
- Many city parks are filled with ornamental plants that bloom in spring.
- She decided to replace the vegetable patch with ornamental plants and a small pond.
purely ornamental
1/pjˈʊɹli ˌɔɹnəmˈɛntəl/
fixed phrase
only for decoration, not use
Used to say that something is only there to look nice and does not do any real job.
Examples
- The buttons on the sleeves are purely ornamental and do not open.
- His role on the committee was purely ornamental; he had no real power.
- Most of the old chimneys are now purely ornamental and no longer in use.