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

Best Under $30 Closer in scale to a drawer pull than a coat hanger, this decorative wall hook works best for lightweight items like jewelry, keys, and bags with shorter straps. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2026

Choose a Display That Matches Your Decorating Style One reason vintage letterpress trays work so well as decorative storage is their versatility. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2026

The idea is less about decorative spectacle than about how a home performs after someone moves in. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Custom gray velvet furniture and boiserie wall panels, a decorative note from 17th-century France, set the tone, and each detail one-ups the next. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 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