decorate

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

Across social media, body-positive women are sharing photos of the lady bits decorating their fingertips, which all differ at least slightly in shape, size, and color.

— Health.com, "Women Are Embellishing Their Manicures With Vaginas (Yes, You Read That Correctly)," 17 Aug. 2017
His wife, Marianne Klekamp, was in charge of decorating the firm’s offices and had a long blank wall to fill.

— jeff suess, Cincinnati.com, "Our history: Enquirer artist Caroline Williams created one-of-a-kind mural," 15 Aug. 2017
When House and Senate Republicans held a policy retreat in Philadelphia during Trump’s first week in office, one of the items in each member’s gift bag was a pair of socks decorated with the new president’s face.

— david a. hopkins, National Review, "Trump’s War with Congress Is Just Getting Started," 15 Aug. 2017
My version is decorated on every page with the crayon art of 8-year-old me.

— kimberly carroll, sandiegouniontribune.com, "The Library Shop: Keeping books alive in the digital age," 6 Aug. 2017
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

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

decorate Synonyms

Synonyms

adorn, array, beautify, bedeck, bedizen, blazon, caparison, deck, do, doll up, do up, drape, dress, embellish, emblaze, emboss, enrich, fancify, fancy up, festoon, garnish, glitz (up), grace, gussy up, ornament, pretty (up), trim

Antonyms

blemish, deface, disfigure, mar, scar, spoil

Related Words

accessorize, dress up, trap, trick (out); brighten, freshen, smarten, spruce (up); boss, chase; braid, embroider, feather, figure, filigree, fillet, flounce, frill, fringe, furbelow, garland, hang, lace, ribbon, swag, wreathe; appliqué, gild, paint; diamond, gem, impearl, jewel, pearl; redecorate, redo

Near Antonyms

simplify, streamline; bare, denude, dismantle, display, divest, expose, reveal, strip, uncover; uglify

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.