ornamental
Just for show
Ornamental describes something valued for its appearance rather than function.
An ornamental shrub decorates a garden but produces no fruit.
Ornamental ironwork adds beauty to a gate or railing.
The word often implies a contrast with the practical: The sword was purely ornamental.
As a noun, an ornamental is a decorative plant or object.
Delicate twisted-wire ornamentation
- gildingApplying decorative gold coating
- fretworkInterlocking ornamental design
- inlayEmbedded surface ornamentation
- marquetryDecorative veneer patterning
scrollwork · tracery · arabesque · flourish · motif · lacework · engraving · chinoiserie
Gracefully refined, tasteful
- gracefulElegant in movement
- stylishFashionably elegant
- refinedPurified or cultured
- elaborateComplex and detailed
intricate · embellished · baroque · rococo · neoclassical · art nouveau · art deco · opulent
Shaped shrub sculpture
Ornamental upper trim
- pedimentTriangular architectural crowning element
- moldingDecorative architectural edging
- balustradeRail supported by posts
- finialDecorative top element
capital · frieze · pilaster · cartouche · acanthus · corbel · rosette · medallion
Decorative strand of foliage
- wreathDecorative foliage circle
- baubleShowy, worthless ornament
- tinselMetallic decorative strips
- buntingFestive decorative fabric
lantern · streamer · centerpiece · candelabra · fairy lights · piñata · torana · ribbon
filigree
Delicate twisted-wire ornamentation
- gildingApplying decorative gold coating
- fretworkInterlocking ornamental design
- inlayEmbedded surface ornamentation
marquetry · scrollwork · tracery · arabesque · flourish · motif · lacework · engraving · chinoiserie · lattice
elegant
Gracefully refined, tasteful
elaborate · intricate · embellished · baroque · rococo · neoclassical · art nouveau · art deco · opulent · lavish
topiary
Shaped shrub sculpture
cornice
Ornamental upper trim
- pedimentTriangular architectural crowning element
- moldingDecorative architectural edging
- balustradeRail supported by posts
finial · capital · frieze · pilaster · cartouche · acanthus · corbel · rosette · medallion · gargoyle
garland
Decorative strand of foliage
bunting · lantern · streamer · centerpiece · candelabra · fairy lights · piñata · torana · ribbon · bow
regalia
Ceremonial emblems of authority
- scepterCeremonial staff of sovereignty
- tiaraOrnamental feminine headband
- crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
medal · vestments · mitre · crosier · robes · chalice · processional · insignia · mace · orb
- plant traitsthorny, spiny, evergreen, deciduous, flowering
- ornamentationembellishments, flourishes, flourish, filigree, scrollwork
- ornateelaborate, embellished, filigree, gilded, fretwork
- floral adjectivesfragrant, blooming, floral, flowery, petaled
- plant termstree, shrub, vine, herb, fern
- Art Decoart deco, sunburst, sunbursts, chevron, zigzag
ornamentalfunctional
Able to operate correctly
utilitarian · practical · useful · serviceable · working
ornamentalplain
Basic and unremarkable
unadorned · unembellished · simple · bare · austere
ornamentalessential
Fundamentally necessary
substantive · integral · fundamental · structural · necessary
- Christmas ornamentsFestive tree decorations
- ornamental plantsVegetation grown for aesthetics
- hood ornamentDecorative vehicle figurine
- lawn ornament
- garden ornamentDecorative outdoor display item
- hair ornamentDecorative piece for tresses
ornament, ornaments, ornamentation, ornamentals, ornamentally