decorate
adjEtymology 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.
decorate
verb/ˈdɛkəɹeɪt/
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”).
1
To furnish with decorations.
- We decorated the Christmas tree with tinsel and baubles.
2
Ambitransitive To improve the appearance of an interior of, as a house, room, or office.
By putting paint or wallpaper on the walls.
- There's some paint left over from when we decorated the guest bedroom.
- We moved in over a month ago but we still haven't gotten started on decorating.
3
Ambitransitive To improve the appearance of an interior of, as a house, room, or office.
By adding adornments to the interior space.
- People tend to decorate for the holidays or special events.
4
To honor by providing a medal, ribbon, or other adornment.
- He was decorated for his service in three wars.
5
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Programming, Sciences To extend a method, etc. by attaching some further code item.
- It makes sure that the field name argument is not empty, and that the field specified there is an actual existing field in the class which declares the method decorated with this attribute.
- Synonyms
- Derived terms
- decoratable, decorative, decorator, decoratress, decoratrix, decorin, immunodecorate, misdecorate, overdecorate, redecorate, undecorate
- Related terms
- decoration, beautiful
- Hyponyms
51 terms
applique, becross, bedaub, bedizen, befrill, bejewel, beset, bestar, boss, brocade, caparison, chase, coffer, depaint, do out, emboss, emblazon, embroider, enamel, enchase, enlimn, feague, festoon, filigree, fledge, flint, flounce, fringe, gaud, goth up, hang, illuminate, impearl, mat, overdecorate, pimp up, pink, pipe, purfle, purl, quill, redecorate, redress, ribbon, set off, swag, trim, tuft, varnish, wainscot, window-dress