ornamental

[/ɔːrnəˈmɛntəl/]
adjective
ornamental
1. serving or intended as an ornament; decorative rather than functional or practical
The ornamental garden features decorative plants and fountains.
O jardim ornamental apresenta plantas decorativas e fontes.
2. relating to or used for decoration or embellishment
She wore ornamental jewelry to the formal event.
Ela usava joias ornamentais no evento formal.
3. attractive in appearance but serving no practical purpose
The ornamental bridge is beautiful but not used for crossing.
A ponte ornamental é bonita mas não é usada para travessia.
In Brazilian culture, ornamental plants and gardens are highly valued, particularly in residential landscapes. The word 'ornamental' is frequently used when discussing landscaping, architecture, and decorative arts. Portugal similarly values ornamental gardening traditions, which dates back centuries in European design.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
decorativeembellishingbeautifyingaestheticfancyshowy
Antonyms / Antônimos
functionalpracticalutilitarianplainsimple

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ornamental
Most common usage; widely understood and used in both formal and casual contexts
Portugal
ornamental
Same usage as Brazilian Portuguese; standard European Portuguese term
São Paulo
ornamental/decorativo
Both terms used interchangeably; ornamental preferred in formal contexts
Rio de Janeiro
ornamental
Common in descriptions of gardens and architecture

Related Words

ornamentdecorationadornembellishmentaesthetic

Related Idioms & Phrases

purely ornamental - serving no real purpose
ornamental value - aesthetic appeal only
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