DECORATIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does decorative mean? 

• DECORATIVE (adjective)
  The adjective DECORATIVE has 1 sense:

1. serving an esthetic rather than a useful purpose

  Familiarity information: DECORATIVE used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DECORATIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Serving an esthetic rather than a useful purpose

Synonyms:

cosmetic; decorative; ornamental

Context example:

the buildings were utilitarian rather than decorative

Similar:

nonfunctional (not having or performing a function)

Derivation:

decorate (provide with decoration)

decorate (make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.)

decorate (be beautiful to look at)

decorativeness (an appearance that serves to decorate and make something more attractive)

 Context examples 

The potassium iodide formed a ‘decorative’ layer on top of the perovskite which had the effect of ‘healing’ the traps so that the electrons could move more freely, as well as immobilising the ion movement, which makes the material more stable at the desired bandgap.

(Potassium gives perovskite-based solar cells an efficiency boost, University of Cambridge)