Word
accessorize
Phoneticsac·ces·sorize
/ækˈsɛsɝˌaɪz/
Definition
v. to wear or use extra items to make an outfit or room look better. You do this to add style or personality to what you are already wearing.
v. to enhance an outfit or interior design by adding decorative items. Often used in the context of fashion or interior decoration.
Examples
“She likes to accessorize her simple dress with gold jewelry.”
“After buying the plain white sofa, he decided to accessorize it with colorful throw pillows and a soft blanket.”
“While the base design of the building is minimalist, the architect intended for residents to accessorize their living spaces with vibrant art and unique furniture to reflect their personal tastes.”
Examples
simple
“She likes to accessorize her simple dress with gold jewelry.”
contextual
“After buying the plain white sofa, he decided to accessorize it with colorful throw pillows and a soft blanket.”
complex
“While the base design of the building is minimalist, the architect intended for residents to accessorize their living spaces with vibrant art and unique furniture to reflect their personal tastes.”
Etymology
From accessory + -ize. First attested in 1939 in American English.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/accessorize