dec ‧ o ‧ rate /ˈdekəreɪt/ BrE AmE verb
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ decor , ↑ decoration , ↑ decorator ; verb : ↑ decorate ; adverb : ↑ decoratively ; adjective : ↑ decorative ]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: decoratus , past participle of decorare 'to decorate' , from decus 'honour, decoration' ]
1 . [intransitive and transitive] British English to paint the inside of a room, put special paper on the walls etc:
The bathroom is decorated in green and yellow.
We plan to spend the weekend decorating.
2 .
[transitive] to make something look more attractive by putting something pretty on it:
Children’s pictures decorated the walls of the classroom.
decorate something with something
an old-fashioned dress decorated with ribbons and lace
3 . [transitive] to give someone a ↑ medal as an official sign of honour
decorate somebody for something
soldiers decorated for bravery
—decorating noun [uncountable]