decorative

adjective dec·o·ra·tive \ ˈde-k(ə-)rə-tiv , ˈde-kə-ˌrā- \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Examples: decorative in a Sentence

Definition of decorative

: serving to decorate; especially : purely ornamental

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decoratively

adverb

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decorativeness

noun

See decorative defined for English-language learners

See decorative defined for kids

Examples of decorative in a Sentence

We added some decorative details to the room.
The handles are decorative and practical.

Recent Examples of decorative from the Web

Garden tour proceeds will go to the beautification committee for its contributions to the city that include the Arbor Day plantings, landscape awards and the decorative plantings around the Greenfield City Hall.

— jane ford-stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Always changing stunning Radler gardens to be open to public in Greenfield," 12 July 2018
Its ornamental panels, which pay tribute to decorative ironwork on buildings crafted by slaves and free African-American artisans in cities like New Orleans, possessed a delicate beauty when viewed at close range.

— blair kamin, chicagotribune.com, "The national African-American museum still stirs the soul — and drops hints of what to expect at the Obama Presidential Center," 11 July 2018
The ring road starts and ends at Village Hall, 14240 W. 151st St., and contains parking spaces and decorative lighting.

— michelle mullins, Daily Southtown, "Homer Glen OKs $2.6 million for new playground, sensory garden; work to begin soon," 13 July 2018
Here's the deal: Waterfront Park has watery places to cool down with, including a splash pad, dancing water fountain and a large, decorative fountain with pooled water in the park.

— louisville courier journal, The Courier-Journal, "Can you get in the water at Forecastle Festival? It really depends," 13 July 2018
Although one naturally responds to such an approach in terms of decorative patterning, these drawings do not go out of their way to look pretty.

— mike giuliano, Howard County Times, "Connecting the dots in Goldberg's variations," 13 July 2018
The photo below is mine, illustrating an opinion piece for the newspaper, bemoaning the increading use of decorative LED lighting on the city's skyscrapers.

— tom gralish, Philly.com, "This week in Photos: July 9, 2018," 11 July 2018
Nothing, however, can excuse the movie’s preposterous depiction of Annu (a purely decorative Rooney Mara).

— gus van sant, New York Times, "Review: Joaquin Phoenix Treks the Long Road to Sobriety in ‘Don’t Worry’," 11 July 2018
Old Princeton Landing, once a pretty seedy dive bar, has been reborn as a family-friendly venue, with decorative surfboards looming in the rafters.

— gregory thomas, SFChronicle.com, "One Day, One Place: Half Moon Bay harbor," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'decorative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of decorative

1791

in the meaning defined above

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decorative Synonyms

Synonyms

adorning, beautifying, cosmetic, embellishing, ornamental;

Antonyms

functional, utilitarian;

beauteous, beautiful, comely, fair, gorgeous, handsome, lovely, pretty, stunning;

detailed, elaborate, fancy, ornate;

DECORATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

decorative

adjective

Definition of decorative for English Language Learners

: used to make something more attractive : used for decoration

DECORATIVE Defined for Kids

decorative

adjective dec·o·ra·tive \ ˈde-kə-rə-tiv , ˈde-krə- \

Definition of decorative for Students

: serving to improve appearance : ornamental Decorative banners were hung for the fair.

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See words that rhyme with decorative Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for decorative Spanish Central: Translation of decorative Nglish: Translation of decorative for Spanish speakers

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decorative

Definition of decorative

decoratively

decorativeness

Examples of decorative in a Sentence

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First Known Use of decorative

decorative Synonyms

Synonyms

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DECORATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

decorative

Definition of decorative for English Language Learners

DECORATIVE Defined for Kids

decorative

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