decorated
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of decorated
Explanation
When something is embellished or made more beautiful, it's decorated, like the elaborately decorated cookies you made your parents for their anniversary. Besides things that are ornamented or adorned with decorations, you can also use this adjective for people who are honored, particularly soldiers who have served heroically. A decorated war veteran has received medals, awards, and honors from the military. Decorated soldiers often wear their medals on their uniforms. The Latin root of decorated is decus, "an ornament."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Archaeologists later excavated a sword still in its scabbard, decorated straps, buckles, rings, ornaments and chariot wheel axle caps.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
The space around him was decorated with the new car’s design elements, including samples of brass-effect anodized aluminum and “the impossible panel”—an aluminum body side shaped into five different planes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
The migrants appear to have specifically selected decorated pottery from their homeland for use as grog.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026
Bouquets of banknotes or cakes decorated with currency are often ordered as gifts for weddings, birthdays, graduations and other celebrations.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
The wrought-iron frame mimicked the weave of vines, decorated with flowers and leaves of green copper.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
