decorative

adjective

dec·​o·​ra·​tive ˈde-k(ə-)rə-tiv 

ˈde-kə-ˌrā-

: serving to decorate

especially : purely ornamental

decoratively adverb

decorativeness noun

Synonyms of decorative

• ornamental

Examples of decorative in a Sentence

We added some decorative details to the room.

The handles are decorative and practical.

Recent Examples on the Web

It was designed to sit on a bedside table almost like a decorative object. — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Bringing Talavera to it is a reclassification from biological necessity to decorative object. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026

Launching on July 22, the collection will offer 25 different kitchen and tabletop items ranging from decorative bakeware and serving bowls to aprons and tea towels. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2026

Luverne, which thanks to a local collector claims to have more of the decorative figurines than people, now boasts the world's tallest nutcracker too. — ABC News, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing decorative

• decorative art

Kids Definition

decorative

adjective

dec·​o·​ra·​tive ˈdek-(ə-)rət-iv 

ˈdek-ə-ˌrāt-

: serving to decorate : ornamental

decoratively adverb

decorativeness noun