1 decorate | Definition of decorate
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decorate

verb
dec·​o·​rate | \ ˈde-kə-ˌrāt How to pronounce decorate (audio) \
decorated; decorating

Definition of decorate

transitive verb

1 : to add honor to decorated commerce with the splendid virtues of honor and loyalty— Geoffrey Household
2 : to furnish with something ornamental decorate a room with artwork decorating the Christmas tree
3 : to award a mark of honor to a soldier decorated for valor highly decorated war veterans

intransitive verb

: to furnish something with ornamentation decorating for the party
Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about decorate

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Choose the Right Synonym for decorate

adorn, decorate, ornament, embellish, beautify, deck, garnish mean to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential. adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself. a diamond necklace adorned her neck decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design. decorate a birthday cake ornament and embellish imply the adding of something extraneous, ornament stressing the heightening or setting off of the original a white house ornamented with green shutters , embellish often stressing the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament. embellish a page with floral borders beautify adds to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness. will beautify the grounds with flower beds deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness. a house all decked out for Christmas garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food. an entrée garnished with parsley

Examples of decorate in a Sentence

I always enjoy decorating the Christmas tree. I decorated my apartment in dark colors.

Recent Examples on the Web

 And the sign is supported by columns on both sides decorated with stars and stripes that depict Americana. — Julie Gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Archway designed to reflect town’s identity," 28 Aug. 2019 In his bedroom, decorated with bayonets, pistols and trench art, was also a machete. — David M. Zimmer, USA TODAY, "America's first mass shooting: 70 years ago, a WWII veteran killed 13 of his neighbors," 28 Aug. 2019 When decorating with these colors, texture becomes the one of the most important elements. — Sophia Vassiliou, Houston Chronicle, "GHBA Remodelers Council: Back to school marks unofficial beginning of fall," 24 Aug. 2019 The only other furniture in the room was a small table, covered in a white tablecloth and decorated with a vase of plastic flowers, and an empty office trash can. — Summer Block, Longreads, "Better Late," 23 Aug. 2019 The woman in Martin’s quilt wears an Egyptian headdress decorated with flowers, swirls and Egyptian symbols for God and life, as well as a map of Africa. — Susan Dunne, courant.com, "African American quilters share their spirited, vibrant stories at Hartford library," 22 Aug. 2019 The Reese’s Original Filled Peanut Butter Lovers Doughnut is a chocolate Original Glazed doughnut filled with Chocolate Peanut Butter Kreme, dipped in Reese’s peanut butter icing and decorated with a chocolate icing drizzle. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "This Might Be Krispy Kreme’s Best Doughnut Collaboration Yet," 5 Aug. 2019 Pipe spiderwebs onto the prepared sheet and top each one with an M&M spider decorated with royal icing legs and eyes. — The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Spiderweb Cupcakes," 2 Aug. 2019 Guests convened on the hotel’s beach beds (decorated with twinkling lights) over spicy grapefruit margaritas, and conversations surrounded summertime plans. — Zachary Weiss, Vogue, "H&M Gathered a Chic Group in Montauk for a Summery Weeknight Dinner," 26 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'decorate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of decorate

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for decorate

Latin decoratus, past participle of decorare, from decor-, decus ornament, honor — more at decent

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More Definitions for decorate

decorate

verb
How to pronounce decorate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of decorate

: to make (something) more attractive usually by putting something on it
: to give a medal or award to (someone, such as a soldier)

See the full definition for decorate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

decorate

verb
dec·​o·​rate | \ ˈde-kə-ˌrāt How to pronounce decorate (audio) \
decorated; decorating

Kids Definition of decorate

1 : to make more attractive by adding beautiful or festive things We decorated the room with flowers.
2 : to award a badge of honor to The soldier was decorated for bravery.

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