decorative
/ˈdek.ər.ə.tɪv/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Decorative means made to look attractive or used to improve how something looks. It is not mainly for practical use.
- She bought decorative cushions for the sofa.
- The box has a decorative pattern on it.
- These lights are decorative, not bright enough to read by.
Adinary Nuance
Decorative is about appearance first. It is close to beautiful, stylish, and ornamental, but it often suggests the thing has little practical use. Writers choose decorative when they want to show something is meant to please the eye, not serve a job.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- trang trí
- Spanish
- decorativo
- Chinese
- 装饰性的
- Japanese
- 装飾的な
- Korean
- 장식적인
Etymology
Decorative comes from French décoratif, from Latin decorare, meaning 'to make beautiful'. It entered English in the 19th century.
Common phrases
decorative itemsdecorative patterndecorative lightsdecorative piece
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is decorative the same as beautiful?
- Not exactly. Decorative means meant to look nice, but beautiful is broader and stronger.
- Is decorative a formal word?
- It is neutral and common in writing, shopping, and home design.
- Can decorative describe people?
- Usually no. It is mainly used for things, shapes, and design.
- What is the difference between decorative and ornamental?
- They are close, but ornamental sounds a little more formal or literary.