decorate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
    ornament; embellish; beautify; grace; adorn.
    • Decorate the room for the party
    • beautify yourself for the special day
  2. verb be beautiful to look at
    deck; embellish; beautify; grace; adorn.
    • Flowers adorned the tables everywhere
  3. verb award a mark of honor, such as a medal, to
    • He was decorated for his services in the military
  4. verb provide with decoration
    dress.
    • dress the windows

WordNet

Dec"o*rate transitive verb
Etymology
L. decoratus, p. p. of decorare, fr. decus ornament; akin to decere to be becoming. See Decent.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Decorated ; present participle & verbal noun Decorating
Definitions
  1. To deck with that which is becoming, ornamental, or honorary; to adorn; to beautify; to embellish; as, to decorate the person; to decorate an edifice; to decorate a lawn with flowers; to decorate the mind with moral beauties; to decorate a hero with honors.
    Her fat neck was ornamented with jewels, rich bracelets decorated her arms. Thackeray.
    Syn. -- To adorn; embellish; ornament; beautify; grace. See Adorn.

Webster 1913