verb
decorate
DEH-kuh-rayt
verb
1
To add ornaments or decorations to something, or to improve the appearance of a room or building.
"They decorated the hall with balloons and streamers for the party."
"We spent the weekend decorating the nursery before the baby arrived."
2
To honour someone by awarding them a medal, ribbon, or similar mark of distinction.
"The soldier was decorated for bravery after the rescue mission."
How to Use Decorate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something look nicer with ornaments, or to formally honour someone with an award.
Common pairings
decorate a room
decorate for a holiday
decorated for valour
Word Forms
more decorate comparative, decorated past tense, decorates singular, most decorate superlative
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They _____ the hall with balloons and streamers for the party.
Etymology
From Latin decorātus, the past participle of decorāre ("to adorn, honour"), from decus ("ornament, honour").