ornamental
gb/ˌɔɹnəmˈɛntəl/ us/ˌɔɹnəmˈɛntəl/
B2
Inglês
~ 8700
Aceções
0 aceções
adjective
B2
property
1
decorative rather than useful
Used to make something look nice, not to do a job or be useful.
Padrão de uso:
[something] is ornamental
Erro comum:
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).
Sinónimos
decorative (The most general word; does not strongly suggest lack of function the way "ornamental" often does.)
Antónimos
functional (Emphasizes that something is mainly designed to work or be useful, not just to look nice.)
Colocações
ornamental detail
|ornamental pattern
|ornamental border
|ornamental design
|ornamental metalwork
|purely ornamental
Temas
design
|art
|home
|fashion
|daily_life
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- The old fireplace is no longer used for heating; it is purely ornamental now.
- The building’s ornamental stonework was restored to its original condition.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The clock on the wall is only ornamental; it does not work.
- There is an ornamental mirror above the sofa.
- The table has many small ornamental carvings on the legs.
- He wore an ornamental belt with a large, shiny buckle.
Nome
C1
entity
2
small decorative object
A small thing you put in a room or garden to make it look nice, not to use for a job.
Padrão de uso:
an ornamental on [something]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
knick-knack (Informal; suggests a small, often cheap decorative object in the home.)
Antónimos
tool (Emphasizes a practical object that is used to do something, not just for decoration.)
Colocações
glass ornamental
|garden ornamentals
|small ornamentals
|ceramic ornamental
|Christmas ornamentals
Temas
home
|daily life
|shopping
|housing
|daily_life
|arts_entertainment
Exemplos
- She bought a little glass ornamental for the top shelf of the bookcase.
- The table was crowded with china ornamentals that had belonged to her grandmother.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- There are many small ornamentals on my desk.
- She put a new ornamental on the shelf.
- He likes to buy ornamentals when he travels.
- I broke the glass ornamental by accident.
adjective
technical
B2
property
3
decorative (of plants, gardens)
Used about plants that people grow because they look nice, not because they give food or wood.
Padrão de uso:
ornamental [plant / tree / shrub]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
decorative (General word; does not specifically refer to horticulture the way "ornamental" does in this sense.)
Antónimos
edible (Used for plants that are grown to be eaten, in contrast with plants grown just to look attractive.)
Colocações
ornamental plant
|ornamental shrub
|ornamental tree
|ornamental grass
|ornamental garden
|ornamental horticulture
Temas
nature
|gardening
|science
|daily_life
|housing
Exemplos
- The front yard is filled with ornamental plants rather than vegetables.
- They specialize in ornamental grasses for modern landscape design.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- We grow ornamental plants in front of the house.
- The garden has many ornamental trees.
- She bought some ornamental flowers for the balcony.
- Farmers grow food plants; the city grows ornamental plants in the park.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
ornamental
IPA
GB/ˌɔɹnəmˈɛntəl/
US/ˌɔɹnəmˈɛntəl/
Sílabas e acento
or - na - ment - al (4 sílabas)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ment)
Formas da palavra
Adjective
- Base: ornamental
Noun
- Base: ornamental
- Plural: ornamentals
Família de palavras
Expressões
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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.