decorate
B1Neutral; common in both formal and informal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To make something look more attractive by adding extra items or ornamentation; to adorn.
To honour someone by giving them a medal or award (usually in a military or formal context); to apply paint, wallpaper, etc. to a room or building.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb has a core sense of aesthetic enhancement and a specialized, formal sense of awarding a military honour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English uses 'decorate' slightly more for home improvement (e.g., 'decorating the living room'). The military honour sense is common in both.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. The act of decorating for a holiday/festival is strongly similar.
Frequency
High frequency in both, with a slight edge in UK English for the 'home improvement' sense.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SBJ] decorate [OBJ] (with something)[SBJ] be decorated (with something)[SBJ] decorate [OBJ] (for something)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “decorate the mahogany (slang: to serve drinks)”
- “not just a pretty face (can decorate *and* do other things)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The new office space was decorated to reflect the company's innovative brand.
Academic
Medieval manuscripts were often decorated with intricate illuminated initials.
Everyday
Let's decorate the birthday cake with sprinkles and candles.
Technical
The soldier was decorated for valour in the field. (Military context)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We need to decorate the lounge before the guests arrive.
- He was decorated for his services in the war.
American English
- Let's decorate the porch for the Fourth of July.
- The general was decorated with the Medal of Honor.
adverb
British English
- The cake was decoratively iced with her name.
- The room was decoratedly sparse, yet elegant.
American English
- The mantel was decoratedly arranged for the holidays.
- She spoke decoratedly about her achievements.
adjective
British English
- The decorated soldier received a hero's welcome.
- She bought decorated paper for scrapbooking.
American English
- The decorated veteran spoke at the ceremony.
- They served the dessert on a beautifully decorated plate.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children decorate the classroom for the party.
- My mother likes to decorate cakes.
- We plan to decorate the living room with blue paint and new curtains.
- The town square was decorated with flags for the national holiday.
- Having been decorated for bravery, he was held in high esteem by his regiment.
- The artist's style involves decorating functional objects with complex geometric patterns.
- The thesis was criticised for being overly decorated with jargon but lacking substantive argument.
- The palace's interior, decorated by a succession of master craftsmen, represents a confluence of Baroque and Rococo styles.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of DECORATE as adding DECOR to something, making it ATE (ate = past, suggests it's been transformed).
Conceptual Metaphor
BEAUTY IS AN ADDITIVE COVERING (we add layers of beauty), HONOUR IS A BADGE (a medal is a physical decoration representing honour).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly from 'decorate a room' to 'декорировать комнату' in casual speech; 'сделать ремонт' or 'обставить' might be more common. 'Украсить' is a closer general verb.
- The military sense ('наградить орденом') is a false friend with 'декорировать'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I will decorate my room by new furniture.' Correct: 'I will decorate my room *with* new furniture.'
- Confusing 'decorated' (awarded) with 'ornamented' (only aesthetic).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'decorate' NOT primarily refer to making something visually attractive?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while common for spaces, you can decorate objects (cakes, textiles), people (with jewellery), and it has a formal meaning of awarding honours.
'Decorate' focuses on surface appearance (paint, furnishings). 'Renovate' involves restoring or repairing, often structurally, which may include decorating afterwards.
Yes, it can imply superficial or excessive ornamentation that lacks taste or substance (e.g., 'a prose style heavily decorated with clichés').
The primary noun is 'decoration'. 'Decor' refers to the decorative scheme or furnishings of a room collectively.