decorative
adjective
dec·o·ra·tive
ˈde-k(ə-)rə-tiv 
ˈde-kə-ˌrā-
: serving to decorate
especially
: purely ornamental
decoratively
adverb
decorativeness
noun
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
The classic crewneck sweater keeps you warm without feeling too heavy, and decorative buttons at the cuffs add a small but elegant detail.
—
Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Instead of filling shelves and surfaces with decorative filler, minimalists tend to only keep pieces that serve a function, or hold personal meaning.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 4 Feb. 2026
The opposite wall of the store features long shelves with Glassman’s collection of vintage glass, decorative dishes and bowls, interspersed with new merchandise.
—Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026
Developers rescued the decorative cornice from the property’s previous building and worked it into the new exterior, giving the brand-new home an additional dose of historic gravitas.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decorative
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Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Instead of filling shelves and surfaces with decorative filler, minimalists tend to only keep pieces that serve a function, or hold personal meaning.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 4 Feb. 2026
The opposite wall of the store features long shelves with Glassman’s collection of vintage glass, decorative dishes and bowls, interspersed with new merchandise.
—Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026
Developers rescued the decorative cornice from the property’s previous building and worked it into the new exterior, giving the brand-new home an additional dose of historic gravitas.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decorative
Cite this Entry
“Decorative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decorative. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
decorative
adjective
dec·o·ra·tive
ˈdek-(ə-)rət-iv
ˈdek-ə-ˌrāt-
: serving to decorate : ornamental
decoratively
adverb
decorativeness
noun
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