Word
Definition
v. to make something look more attractive by adding extra items or patterns to it. You can also use this when you paint or put wallpaper in a room.
v. to add ornamental features or patterns to an object or surface to enhance its aesthetic appeal. Also used to describe the act of painting or papering a room.
Examples
“We plan to decorate the living room this weekend.”
“The bakery staff spend hours each morning to decorate the wedding cakes with intricate sugar flowers.”
“While the architect focused on the structural integrity of the building, the interior designer was hired specifically to decorate the lobby in a style that reflected the company's heritage.”
Examples
simple
“We plan to decorate the living room this weekend.”
contextual
“The bakery staff spend hours each morning to decorate the wedding cakes with intricate sugar flowers.”
complex
“While the architect focused on the structural integrity of the building, the interior designer was hired specifically to decorate the lobby in a style that reflected the company's heritage.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “decorate” in context.
Verb
01. decide decorate
“We decided to decorate the kitchen before the new year.”
verb + verb
02. decorate for
“The whole town is decorated for the annual summer festival.”
verb + prep
03. decorate with
“They decorated the hall with colorful balloons and streamers.”
verb + prep
04. help decorate
“The children helped decorate the Christmas tree with handmade ornaments.”
verb + verb
Adjective
05. lavishly decorate
“The ballroom was lavishly decorated with gold leaf and silk hangings.”
adv + verb
06. simply decorate
“The guest room is simply decorated with white walls and wooden furniture.”
adv + verb
07. tastefully decorate
“The apartment is tastefully decorated in a modern minimalist style.”
adv + verb
Noun
08. opportunity to decorate
“Moving into a new house gave her the opportunity to decorate from scratch.”
noun + inf
09. way to decorate
“Painting an accent wall is an inexpensive way to decorate a room.”
noun + inf
10. be brightly decorated with
“The nursery was brightly decorated with murals of jungle animals.”
11. decorate in neutral colors
“They chose to decorate the lounge in neutral colors to make it feel larger.”
12. decorate to a high standard
“The property has been renovated and decorated to a high standard.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. In a military context, it means to confer an award or medal upon someone.
Etymology
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”).
From Middle English decorat (“decorated, adorned”), see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more. Originally also used as the past participle of decorate; compare generate or communicate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/decorate
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0