decorated

decorated — verb

1. to put attractive things such as flowers, lights, ribbons, or pictures onto a su

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to put attractive things such as flowers, lights, ribbons, or pictures onto a surface or into a space so that it looks more pleasing to the eye

Example

Beatriz decorated the garden with paper lanterns and hanging streamers for the birthday party.

decorate + object + with + items

The children decorated their classroom with colourful paintings and balloons before the school fair.

Common collocations
  • decorate with
  • decorate a room
  • decorate a cake
  • festively decorated
  • beautifully decorated
Synonyms
  • adorn

    more formal and literary; suggests adding beautiful items to something that is already fine

  • embellish

    often implies adding small details to make something more interesting or fancy

  • garnish

    used mainly for food and drink, e.g. garnish a dish with herbs

Antonyms
  • strip

    to remove decorative items from a surface or space

Grammar Patterns

decorate + object + with + decorative items

Usage Note

The person or object receiving the decoration is the direct object; the material used follows 'with'.

Common Mistakes

I decorated the wall with green paint' (when you mean painting the surface).
I decorated the wall with posters and frames.
For painting or wallpapering a room, use sense 2 (PAINT WALLS); for adding separate items to an already-finished surface, use this sense.

2. to refresh the walls and other surfaces of a room or building by painting them,

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to refresh the walls and other surfaces of a room or building by painting them, adding wallpaper, or applying new finishes

Example

Eleni spent the whole weekend decorating the spare bedroom before the baby arrived.

spend time V-ing + decorating [room]

The landlord told us we are not allowed to decorate the flat without written permission.

Common collocations
  • decorate a house
  • redecorate
  • newly decorated
  • decorate a room
  • decorate the kitchen
Synonyms
  • paint

    specific to applying paint; less general than decorate

  • redo

    informal; implies re-decorating a room from start to finish

  • refurbish

    more formal; covers decoration plus repairs and renewal

Grammar Patterns

decorate + object (room, building)

Usage Note

This sense is most common in British English, where 'decorating' a room means painting or wallpapering its surfaces. In American English, 'paint' or 'wallpaper' is more common for this specific activity.

Common Mistakes

I decorated the cake with icing' (confusing with sense 1).
I decorated the living room with fresh paint and new wallpaper.
This sense is about surface treatment of rooms/buildings, not adding ornaments.

3. to give someone an official honour such as a medal, a military cross, or a disti

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to give someone an official honour such as a medal, a military cross, or a distinguished title as a public mark of recognition for their bravery, service, or achievement

Example

The young captain was decorated for bravery after leading his troops safely through enemy territory.

passive: was decorated for [quality]

The president decorated the nurse with the Order of Merit for her decades of service.

active: subject decorated person with [award name]

Common collocations
  • decorated for bravery
  • decorated veteran
  • highly decorated
  • decorated soldier
  • decorated officer
Synonyms
  • honour

    wider meaning; can include awards, ceremonies, or any public recognition

  • cite

    means to mention someone formally for bravery, often leading to a decoration

Antonyms
  • disgrace

    to bring shame upon someone, opposite of honouring them

Grammar Patterns

be decorated + for + achievement

be decorated + with + medal name

Usage Note

Almost always used in the passive voice (be decorated) or as the adjective form. The active voice typically has an official or head of state as the subject. The award is introduced with 'with'.

Common Mistakes

The teacher decorated the student with a certificate of achievement.
The soldier was decorated for his courage during the rescue mission.
This sense is restricted to formal, official honours such as military medals or state awards, not school or workplace certificates.

decorated — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Decorate' is the most general and everyday word — you decorate a room, a cake, a Christmas tree, or a notebook. 'Adorn' is more formal and suggests adding beautiful items to something that already looks good, such as a crown adorned with jewels or a dress adorned with lace. 'Embellish' often means adding small, showy details, and it can be used figuratively for stories (e.g., embellished the truth). 'Garnish' is limited to food and drink — you garnish a plate with herbs or a cocktail with a slice of lemon. 'Ornament' is less common as a verb and usually refers to small, permanent decorative objects placed on a surface, such as a ceiling ornamented with carved roses. For everyday speech, 'decorate' is the safest and most natural choice.

adornembellishgarnishornament ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • decorate a room with
  • decorated in [colour/style]
  • be decorated for [achievement]

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'decorated' comes from Latin 'decoratus', the past participle of 'decorare', meaning 'to adorn, beautify'. 'Decorare' itself comes from 'decus' (genitive 'decoris'), meaning 'ornament, beauty, honour'. The word entered English through French in the 15th century. The sense of 'awarding a medal' emerged in the 18th century, linking the idea of honouring someone with the concept of adorning them with a visible mark of distinction.