decorative
DEHK-uh-ruh-tihv
Decorative (adj) means serving mainly to decorate or add visual appeal, rather than to serve a practical function. Example: “The vase was purely decorative and never actually held flowers.”
adj
1
Serving mainly to decorate or add visual appeal, rather than to serve a practical function.
"The vase was purely decorative and never actually held flowers."
"They added decorative moulding along the ceiling."
"The shelf is mostly decorative, with tiny painted birds along its edge."
How to use decorative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExisting to look nice, not necessarily to be useful.
Common pairings
decorative purposes
purely decorative
decorative element
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Word forms
- Plural
- decoratives
- Comparative
- more decorative
- Superlative
- most decorative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The vase was purely _____ and never actually held flowers.
Etymology
From Latin decorātus + -ive, matching French décoratif.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for decorative
See all rhymes for decorative →Frequently asked questions
What does “decorative” mean?
The word “decorative” means serving mainly to decorate or add visual appeal, rather than to serve a practical function. In plain terms, existing to look nice, not necessarily to be useful.
How do you pronounce “decorative”?
“Decorative” is pronounced DEHK-uh-ruh-tihv (/ˈdɛk.ə.ɹə.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “decorative” in a sentence?
Here is “decorative” used in a sentence: “The vase was purely decorative and never actually held flowers.”
What part of speech is “decorative”?
“Decorative” is an adjective.
Where does the word “decorative” come from?
The word “decorative” comes from Latin. From Latin decorātus + -ive, matching French décoratif.
Is “decorative” a common word?
“Decorative” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between decorative and functional?
Decorative describes something that serves mainly to add visual appeal, while functional describes something designed primarily to perform a practical task. An object can be described as purely decorative when it has little or no practical use beyond appearance.
Can something be both decorative and functional?
Yes, many objects, such as ornate door handles or patterned tiles, combine both qualities, serving a practical function while also being designed to look attractive. However, calling something decorative usually emphasizes its visual role over its practical one.
