decorated

American

[dek-uh-rey-tid] / ˈdɛk əˌreɪ tɪd /

adjective

(often initial capital letter) of pertaining to, or characteristic of the English gothic architecture of the late 13th through the late 14th centuries, characterized by curvilinear tracery, elaborate ornamental sculpture and vaulting, and refinement of stonecutting techniques.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of decorated

First recorded in 1720–30; decorate + -ed ²

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."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

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.

It is still barely decorated, just a corkboard pinned with photos of the boys and a folding table covered with stacks of reports.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

Photos released by the CIA show American officials meeting with Cuban officials—who wore black suits instead of the usual white guayaberas—over a long, white table decorated with bouquets of red roses and baby’s breath.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Archibald exits as one of Britain's most decorated track cyclists and arguably Scotland's most decorated female athlete.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

The Weisses hired garden specialists to review decades-old photos of the Penguin Coffee Shop to determine which varieties of flowers decorated the front of the restaurant, then they replanted them.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Greater sea creatures glided past, their bodies decorated with pulsating, magical designs.

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