ˈdek(ə)rəd.iv, -rətiv; ˈdekəˌrād.iv, -ātiv, -ēv also -əv adjective
Etymology: decorate + -ive
1. : of or relating to decoration : serving to decorate: as
a. : having a purely ornamental function
its buildings were utilitarian rather than decorative — Green Peyton
b. of a work of art : producing immediate sensory satisfaction without regard to meaning
to demand that all art be decorative is … a limitation of the material of art — John Dewey
c. : suitable for decorating or embellishing : enhancing in attractiveness
his delight in the use of decorative high-sounding words — Alvin Redman
2.
a. of a dahlia : having flower heads much doubled with quilled rays
b. of a chrysanthemum : having loose open flower heads of quilled, flat, or fluted rays
• dec·o·ra·tive·ly -ə̇vlē, -li adverb
• dec·o·ra·tive·ness -ivnə̇s, -ēv- also -əv- noun -es