decoration

decoration — noun

1. things people add to an object, a space, or an event to make it look more intere

1.nounB1
Definition

things people add to an object, a space, or an event to make it look more interesting or beautiful; also the activity of adding such things

Example

The wedding hall was filled with flower decorations in white and pink.

collocation: flower decorations

Nadia hung colourful paper decorations around the room for the birthday party.

Common collocations
  • Christmas decorations
  • flower decorations
  • party decorations
  • paper decorations
  • table decorations
  • wall decorations
  • wedding decorations
Synonyms
  • ornament

    more specific — a small object used as decoration, often for a tree or shelf

  • embellishment

    more formal; emphasizes extra detail added to make something richer or more elaborate

  • adornment

    formal; focuses on the act of beautifying, especially personal appearance

  • trim

    informal American English for the decorative extras on clothing or a room

Antonyms
  • bareness

    state of having no decoration at all

  • plainness

    lack of decoration, deliberately simple

Grammar Patterns

decoration + noun (e.g. decoration scheme)

adjective + decoration(s)

decoration(s) for + noun phrase

Usage Note

Uncountable when referring to the general activity or process ('She spends her free time on decoration'); countable (often plural) when referring to specific objects used to make something look nicer ('the birthday decorations').

Common Mistakes

We need to buy decoration for the party.' (singular countable, implying only one item).
We need to buy decorations for the party.
use the plural form when referring to multiple decorative items.
The decoration of the room took all day' (vague).
The room decorations took all day to set up.
context usually makes it clear whether you mean the activity or the objects.

2. the work of changing how a room, house, or building looks by painting its walls,

2.nounB1
Definition

the work of changing how a room, house, or building looks by painting its walls, putting up wallpaper, or preparing surfaces

Example

The whole family helped with the decoration of the living room over the weekend.

Haruto hired a professional team to handle the interior decoration of his new flat.

collocation: interior decoration

Common collocations
  • home decoration
  • house decoration
  • interior decoration
  • kitchen decoration
  • living-room decoration
Synonyms
  • painting

    narrower — only applying paint, not wallpaper

  • papering

    narrower — only putting up wallpaper

  • redecorating

    doing decoration again to refresh the appearance

Grammar Patterns

do the decoration

interior/home decoration

decoration of + noun (room/house/building)

Usage Note

Always uncountable. This sense refers specifically to practical surface work — painting, wallpapering, plastering — not to adding ornaments or decorative objects (see sense 1). 'Interior decoration' is a fixed phrase covering both this sense and sense 1 within the design profession.

Common Mistakes

I put up some paintings — that counts as decoration for this room' (blurring senses 1 and 2).
I painted the walls and put up new wallpaper
the decoration is finally done.' — sense 2 is about the paint/paper work itself, not about adding objects.

3. an official medal, badge, or ribbon given to someone as a public honour for brav

3.nounB2
Definition

an official medal, badge, or ribbon given to someone as a public honour for brave actions, long service, or special achievement

Example

The general wore his military decorations on the left side of his jacket.

collocation: military decorations

Each firefighter received a decoration for bravery during the rescue operation.

Common collocations
  • combat decoration
  • decoration for bravery
  • military decoration
  • service decoration
  • war decoration
Synonyms
  • medal

    more specific — a flat piece of metal with a design, the most common form of decoration

  • award

    broader — can be money, a trophy, or a certificate, not always worn

  • badge

    a smaller pin worn on clothing, less formal than a full medal

  • honour

    the general concept of public recognition, which may include a decoration

Grammar Patterns

receive/earn/wear a decoration

military decoration

decoration for + noun (bravery/service)

Usage Note

Countable. Often used in the plural ('decorations') when referring to all the medals a person has received. This is a formal or official register, common in military and government contexts. The phrase 'decoration for bravery/service' is a fixed pattern.

Common Mistakes

He got a decoration for his birthday.
He got a decoration for his service in the army.
a decoration in this sense is an official honour, not a birthday present.
She wore a pretty decoration on her dress.' (blurring senses 1 and 3).
She wore a medal-like decoration on her uniform, given by the president.
sense 3 refers to official honours, not fashion accessories.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words refer to something added to make an object or space look nicer, but they differ in scope and register. 'Decoration' is the broadest, everyday term — it covers everything from Christmas baubles to cake icing patterns. 'Ornament' is more specific, usually describing a small decorative object placed on a tree, shelf, or building; it implies the item exists mainly to beautify rather than to function. 'Embellishment' is more formal and often suggests added detail that makes something richer or more elaborate, not necessarily a separate object — you can embellish a story or a musical passage, not just a room. 'Adornment' is formal and focuses on the act of beautifying, particularly of personal appearance ('adornments like jewellery and hair clips'). 'Trim' is informal, used in American English for the decorative extras on clothing, a Christmas tree, or a car interior — not for standalone objects. When describing home decor, use 'decoration(s)' for general items and 'ornaments' for small collectibles; for formal writing, 'embellishment' and 'adornment' fit better.

decoration ↗ornament ↗embellishmentadornmenttrim ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • for decoration (used for decoration)
  • in decoration (specialised in decoration)

Prepositions

  • for (decoration for the party)
  • with (decorations with flowers)
  • in (decorations in gold)

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'decoratio' (ornament, embellishment), from the verb 'decorare' (to adorn, beautify), which comes from 'decus' (ornament, honour, glory). The word passed through French 'décoration' before entering English in the early 17th century. The military honour sense (sense 3) emerged from the idea of a visible 'ornament' worn on clothing as a public sign of honour — the same Latin root 'decus' carried both the meaning of physical beauty and of honourable distinction.