decorate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To make something look more attractive by adding things to it.

   We decorated the Christmas tree with tinsel and baubles.

2. 2
   verb

   To paint or put up wallpaper in a room or building.

   There's some paint left over from when we decorated the guest bedroom.

3. 3
   verb

   To give someone a medal or honour for an achievement.

   He was a decorated soldier who served in three wars.

Common collocations

• decorate a tree Verb + noun

From Middle English decorat (“adorned”), from Latin decorātus, perfect passive participle of decorō (“to adorn, distinguish, honor”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from decus (“ornament, grace, dignity, honor”, decor- in compounds), akin to decor (“elegance, grace, beauty, ornament”), from decet (“adorn, befit”).

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