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

Other Word Forms

• decorativeness noun
• decoratively adverb
• nondecorative adjective
• overdecorative adjective
• overdecoratively adverb
• overdecorativeness noun
• undecorative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of decorative¹

First recorded in 1785–95; decorate + -ive

Example Sentences

Once hunted extensively for turtle soup, its eggs as a delicacy and decorative shells, the ancient mariner saw its numbers plummet and has been listed as endangered since the 1980s.

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“Sèvres Extraordinaire!” approaches its subject—pioneering, astonishing ceramic confections that are neither purely functional nor purely decorative but sui generis art, or “sculpture”—in the broadest sense.

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Along with the customary cardboard cut-outs and decorative gift mugs, a special exhibition stand is displaying a selection of the former Conservative prime minister's most famous outfits from her 11 years in office.

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“Since ‘Solar Power,’ I’ve made a concerted effort in my work to try and strip away any decorative elements,” the singer says in Burbank as she puts the finishing touches on the show.

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He gained a reputation for making big buildings fun, adding Lego-like decorative touches to developments like the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and Embankment Place above Charing Cross Station in London.

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Related Words

• fancy 
• ornamental