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

• overdecorate verb
• redecorate verb
• undecorate verb (used with object)

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

Daniel Brown, 35, has just bought a house in Skipton and is borrowing one of the library's most popular items, a wallpaper stripper, so he can decorate his new home.

From BBC

For the Angels and their decorated closer, and for 17 other teams, Tuesday will be the second day of the offseason.

From Los Angeles Times

Carmy’s decorated achievements and connections are always front and center in the series, but this episode shows Sydney has earned the title of co-partner in her own right.

From Salon

Staff at Foxhunters Care Community had decorated the venue with balloons and a red carpet, while Ruth and her fellow residents took the opportunity to dress to the nines for the big occasion.

From BBC

Each last went in its own box decorated with a ribbon in the colors of the Italian flag.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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