decorative
The word "decorative" is most often used to describe things that are meant for looks rather than use. For example, a "decorative bowl" might be beautiful, but you wouldn't actually put cereal in it. It is almost always used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., "decorative lights"). It describes the purpose or appearance of an object.
💬Casual Conversation
🎬Tuesday afternoon, Maya is helping Fatima organize her new apartment.
Maya
Cut it out. Those plates are purely decorative.
Fatima
My bad, I didn't realize they were just for show.
💡
Maya uses 'purely decorative' to warn Fatima not to use a fragile item for food. Fatima responds with the phrasal verb 'cut it out' (stop doing that) and the idiom 'just for show', which is a semantic synonym for decorative in this context.
Meanings
adjective
Serving to make something look more attractive; ornamental rather than functional.
"The cake was topped with decorative icing and edible flowers."
adjective
Used for decoration; intended to adorn a space or object.
"She bought several decorative pillows to brighten up the living room sofa."