/ ˈdekəreɪt; NAmE / verb
1.
[ vn ] decorate sth (with sth) to make sth look more attractive by putting things on it :
They decorated the room with flowers and balloons.
The cake was decorated to look like a car.
2.
( especially BrE ) to put paint, wallpaper , etc. on the walls and ceilings of a room or house :
[ v ]
I hate decorating.
He has his own painting and decorating business.
[ vn ]
We need to decorate the sitting room.
The sitting room needs decorating.
3.
[ vn ] to be placed on sth in order to make it look more attractive
SYN adorn :
Photographs of actors decorated the walls of the restaurant.
4.
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] decorate sb (for sth) to give sb a medal as a sign of respect for sth they have done
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in the sense to grace or honour ): from Latin decoratus embellished (past participle of decorare ), from decus , decor- beauty, honour, or embellishment.