bedeck

American  

[bih-dek] / bɪˈdɛk /

verb (used with object)

1. to deck out; adorn, especially in a showy or gaudy manner.

   Synonyms:

   enhance, beautify, ornament, decorate, array

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bedeck British  

/ bɪˈdɛk /

verb

1. (tr) to cover with decorations; adorn

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Other Word Forms

• unbedecked adjective

Etymology

Origin of bedeck

First recorded in 1560–70; be- + deck

Explanation

To bedeck is to decorate or embellish. If you bedeck your house with streamers and balloons, you'll feel prepared for your brother's surprise party. Some people like to bedeck their homes, inside and out, during various holidays. In December, you might bedeck your front door with a wreath, your yard with inflatable Santas and candy canes, and your indoor Christmas tree with tinsel and lights. You don't hear bedeck's root, the verb deck, all that often — but it appears in the Christmas carol "Deck the Halls," and it comes from the Middle Dutch dekken, "to cover."

Example Sentences

With the magic of a clear glue varnish such as Modge Podge, you can bedeck everything from glassware, votives, pottery, frames, coasters and serving trays to handmade stationery or cards with your dried blossoms.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 15, 2023

So attention seemed merited by a 64-degree day when spring is in the air, fully formed blossoms bedeck the trees, and a weekend awaits us.

From Washington Post • Mar. 25, 2022

Tents have been erected around Obama’s property and chairs and couches bedeck his spacious lawn for the last of the months-long preparations, according to the Mail.

From Fox News • Aug. 7, 2021

That was in 1975, but people still bedeck it with medals and running bibs.

From The Guardian • Nov. 22, 2017

Many thighbones he burned on the gods’ altars and many a woven and golden ornament hung to bedeck them, in his satisfaction; he had not thought life held such glory for him.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer

Related Words

• adorn
• decorate
• embellish