decorate

[ dek-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

decorated, decorating.

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 Word Forms

• 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

Green and gold balloons, Oakland’s official colors, decorated the room, while dozens of people formed a long line to get a plate of soul food.

From Los Angeles Times

Panels on the hoardings will be decorated to showcase the city's past and present as well as displaying the future vision for Glasgow.

From BBC

The King was in a kilt and tweed jacket while the Queen wore a blue coat with a tartan lapel and a red hat decorated with a feather.

From BBC

There’s something inherently joyful about a beautifully decorated cake.

From Salon

Researchers at the Natural History Museum’s La Brea Tar Pits, where a wall is decorated with hundreds of dire wolf skulls, had questions.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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