decorative

[ dek-er-uh-tiv, dek-ruh-, dek-uh-rey- ]

adjective

1. serving or tending to decorate.
2. Fine Arts. serving only to decorate, in contrast to providing a meaningful experience.

decorative

/ ˈdɛkrətɪv; ˈdɛkərətɪv /

adjective

1. serving to decorate or adorn; ornamental

Derived Forms

• ˈdecorativeness, noun
• ˈdecoratively, adverb

Other Word Forms

• deco·ra·tive·ly adverb
• deco·ra·tive·ness noun
• non·deco·ra·tive adjective
• over·deco·ra·tive adjective
• over·deco·ra·tive·ly adverb
• over·deco·ra·tive·ness noun
• un·deco·ra·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of decorative¹

First recorded in 1785–95; decorate + -ive

Example Sentences

More likely this middling thriller just needs a decorative garnish.

From Los Angeles Times

Garnish with fresh herbs and decorative bits of vegetables.

From Salon

They feature fantastical beasts and foliage arranged in decorative panels, thought to be an imitation textile design.

From BBC

He called it “an excellent example of the Midcentury Modern style,” noting its Googie-style sign, “simple geometric volumes, low sloped roof, relatively chaste exterior walls and decorative concrete blocks.”

From Los Angeles Times

Same with a white crystal and a decorative ceramic lid.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fancy
• ornamental