bedizen

[ bih-dahy-zuhn, -diz-uhn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to dress or adorn in a showy, gaudy, or tasteless manner:

   She was bedizened in a sequined gown and an enormous feathered headpiece.

   To my dismay, the new PR team bedizened our website with animated images and text.

bedizen

/ bɪˈdaɪzən; -ˈdɪzən /

verb

1. archaic.
   tr to dress or decorate gaudily or tastelessly

Derived Forms

• beˈdizenment, noun

Other Words From

• be·dizen·ment noun
• unbe·dizened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bedizen¹

First recorded in 1655–65; be- + dizen

Word History and Origins

Origin of bedizen¹

C17: from be- + obsolete dizen to dress up, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

A refined woman will always look neat; but, on the other hand, she will not bedizen and bedeck herself with a view to display.

From Project Gutenberg

The French chamarrer, to deck out, or bedizen, is said to be a word of kindred origin.

From Project Gutenberg

I'st teach yo to burn three candles down awbut to nothink 'at yo may bedizen yorsel in this way.

From Project Gutenberg

Mirrors being very rare, the women bedizen themselves with tinsel, the bizarre effect of which they have no means of appreciating.

From Project Gutenberg

Is not your body a far more beautiful and nobler thing than all the gay clothes with which you can bedizen it?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adorn
• bedeck
• brighten
• deck
• do up
• dress up
• festoon
• fix up
• grace
• illuminate
• paint
• renovate
• spruce up
• trim