decorate

[ dek-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, dec·o·rat·ed, dec·o·rat·ing.

1. to furnish or adorn with something ornamental or becoming; embellish:

   to decorate walls with murals.

   Synonyms: festoon, garnish, trim, bedeck, ornament

2. to plan and execute the design, furnishings, and ornamentation of the interior of (a house, office, apartment, etc.), especially by selecting colors, fabrics, and style of furniture, by making minor structural changes, etc.:

   Their house is decorated in French Provincial style.

3. to confer distinction upon by a badge, a medal of honor, etc.:

   to decorate a soldier for valor.

decorate

/ ˈdɛkəˌreɪt /

verb

1. tr to make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc
2. to paint or wallpaper (a room, house, etc)
3. tr to confer a mark of distinction, esp a military medal, upon
4. tr to evaporate a metal film onto (a crystal) in order to display dislocations in structure

Other Words From

• over·deco·rate verb overdecorated overdecorating
• re·deco·rate verb redecorated redecorating
• un·deco·rate verb (used with object) undecorated undecorating

Word History and Origins

Origin of decorate¹

1375–1425; late Middle English (adj.) < Latin decorātus (past participle of decorāre ), equivalent to decor- (stem of decus ) an ornament, splendor, honor ( decent ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of decorate¹

C16: from Latin decorāre, from decus adornment; see decent

Example Sentences

Hegseth, a decorated combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, will leave the network immediately, a Fox News representative said Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times

A decorated Green Beret and Army veteran, Waltz served multiple tours in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa.

From BBC

She said the grave had recently been decorated with a white heart and a blue bear floral arrangement, but three days later she found they had disappeared.

From BBC

One of the country's most decorated Olympians, he won six gold medals across four Games.

From BBC

They bought a Moses basket, decorated his room and thought they would be in hospital for just five days.

From BBC

Related Words

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