How to pronounce ornamental
Say it like or-nuh-MEN-tul. Ornamental has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ornamental. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- or
- nuh
- MEN
- tul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ornamental pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- orGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- MENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ornamental
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: aw-nuh-MEN-tul.
What does ornamental mean?
- An ornamental plant.
- Serving as an ornament; having no purpose other than to make more beautiful.“Some think it most ornamental to wear their bracelets on their wrists; others, about their ankles.”
- Bred for aesthetic or decorative purposes.“Those cranberry bushes are ornamental, so they're not edible.”
Where does ornamental come from?
From ornament + -al.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with ornamental
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ornamental.
- environmental
- fundamental
- experimental
- gentle
- dental
- rental
- continental
- instrumental
- accidental
- developmental
Questions about saying ornamental
How do you pronounce ornamental?
Say or-nuh-MEN-tul. The American pronunciation is /ˌɔrnəˈmɛntəl/. In British English it is /ˌɔːnəˈmɛntəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ornamental?
Ornamental has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MEN). Broken into parts: or · nuh · MEN · tul.
Is ornamental pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌɔːnəˈmɛntəl/ (aw-nuh-MEN-tul).