Dictionary

decorate

verb dec·o·rate \ˈde-kə-ˌrāt\

: to make (something) more attractive usually by putting something on it

: to give a medal or award to (someone, such as a soldier)

dec·o·rat·eddec·o·rat·ing

Full Definition of DECORATE

transitive verb
1
:  to add honor to
2
:  to furnish with something ornamental <decorate a room>
3
:  to award a mark of honor to <a soldier decorated for valor>
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Origin of DECORATE

Latin decoratus, past participle of decorare, from decor-, decus ornament, honor — more at decent
First Known Use: 1530

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>.

Rhymes with DECORATE

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DECORATED Defined for Kids

decorate

verb dec·o·rate \ˈde-kə-ˌrāt\
dec·o·rat·eddec·o·rat·ing

Definition of DECORATE for Kids

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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