decorate Definition
- 1make (something) look more attractive by adding extra items or images to it
- 2award a mark of honor, typically a medal, to (a member of the armed forces)
- 3be awarded a mark of honor for bravery or distinguished service
Using decorate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "decorate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She decorated the room with balloons and streamers.
Example
The soldier was decorated for his bravery in battle.
Example
He was decorated with the Medal of Honor for his service in the war.
decorate Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using decorate
decorate the truth
to make something seem better or more acceptable than it really is
Example
He decorated the truth a little when he told his boss why he was late to work.
decorate the cake with icing on the top
to add an extra layer of decoration to something that is already well-decorated
Example
She decided to decorate the cake with icing on the top to make it look even more impressive.
decorate the house from top to bottom
to decorate every part of a house, including the ceilings, walls, and floors
Example
They spent days decorating the house from top to bottom for their annual Halloween party.
Phrases with decorate
decorate a cake
add icing, frosting, or other edible decorations to a cake
Example
She spent hours decorating the cake for her daughter's birthday party.
decorate a Christmas tree
add ornaments, lights, and other decorations to a Christmas tree
Example
We always decorate our Christmas tree on the day after Thanksgiving.
decorate a room
add furniture, curtains, rugs, and other decorative items to a room
Example
She spent weeks decorating her new apartment before moving in.
Origins of decorate
from Latin 'decoratus', past participle of 'decorare', meaning 'to adorn'
Summary: decorate in Brief
To 'decorate' [ˈdɛkəreɪt] means to add extra items or images to something to make it look more attractive. It can refer to adding decorative items to a room, such as furniture or curtains, or to adding ornaments and lights to a Christmas tree. 'Decorate' can also mean to award a mark of honor, typically a medal, to a member of the armed forces.
