decorate

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verb dec·o·rate \ˈde-kə-ˌrāt\

Definition of decorate

decorated

;

decorating

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

See decorate defined for English-language learners

See decorate defined for kids

Examples of decorate in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of decorate from the Web

Village officials, including Mayor Arlene Jezierny, joined in, decorating the trees that line the village's lobby at 7300 W. Wilson.

— pioneer press, chicagotribune.com, "Christmas arrives early in Harwood Heights," 17 July 2017
While the three Grand Suites are all decorated in the Art Deco style, each cabin draws individual inspiration from some of the world's most romantic cities, including Istanbul, Paris, and Venice.

— lyndsey matthews, Town & Country, "The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Has 3 New Grand Suites That Will Make You Want to Book Passage Now," 10 July 2017
At Kubeh, Ms. Shurka’s West Village restaurant, decorated with Middle Eastern artifacts, the kubeh are served in richly satisfying vibrant broths (beet, Swiss chard and tomato, among others).

— florence fabricant, New York Times, "Restaurant Puts the Spotlight on Middle Eastern Dumplings," 10 July 2017
Most of his works are spread around his house and decorate the family room.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Man's talent comes out of the woodwork," 8 July 2017
From denim jackets decorated with extraordinarily detailed depictions of the Russian circus, to shirts displaying an almost cubist treatment of Vladimir Putin, Dobrayakova's exuberant designs immediately struck chords within the fashion universe.

— robert newhouse, Teen Vogue, "Katya Dobrayakova Designs 'Ethnic Woman' Sweatshirt for Jungle Collection," 6 July 2017
There had been no time to celebrate, no pink walls to decorate for another daughter.

— alden woods, azcentral, "60 days to find a home: Lack of affordable housing forces renters to settle," 2 July 2017
Locals decked out in patriotic attire are to decorate their bicycles, skateboards, wagons, roller skates, wheelchairs, strollers and other wheel-devices to reflect the day’s theme.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Rancho Bernardo to offer full-day of Independence Day fun," 28 June 2017
The brilliant colors inside the home were chosen to match its original palette—dazzling yellows, greens and blues decorate the home's most formal rooms.

— elizabeth finkelstein, Country Living, "This Historical Kentucky Farmhouse Has a Surprisingly Colorful Interior," 23 June 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of decorate

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1530

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of 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

DECORATE Defined for English Language Learners

decorate

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verb

Definition of decorate for English Language Learners

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

DECORATE Defined for Kids

decorate

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verb dec·o·rate \ˈde-kə-ˌrāt\

Definition of decorate for Students

decorated

;

decorating

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.