Decorate: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when you are adding items to make a place look more attractive, often for a specific occasion or general improvement.

• We decorated the room for the birthday party.
• She loves to decorate her home for the holidays.

Often used when making something more attractive or interesting by adding extra details. It can also imply exaggeration or adding fictitious details to a story.

• She embellished her story with dramatic details.
• He embellished the plain dress with lace and beads.

Used when talking about adding decorative objects or elements, often physical items like jewelry, art, or holiday decorations.

• They used antique ornaments to decorate the Christmas tree.
• The palace was filled with beautiful ornaments and paintings.

Used in more formal or literary contexts to describe adding beauty or decoration, often with an emphasis on elegance or grace.

• The bride adorned her hair with fresh flowers.
• The ancient temple was adorned with intricate carvings.

Typically used in culinary contexts to describe adding small items to food to enhance its appearance and sometimes its flavor.

• The chef garnished the dish with fresh herbs.
• A slice of lemon garnished the cocktail.

Commonly used for adding items or designs to make a place or object look more attractive, especially in home interiors, parties, or festive settings.

• We decorated the living room with colorful balloons and streamers for the birthday party
• She loves to decorate her notebooks with stickers

Used to describe making something more attractive by adding decorative details or features. It can also imply adding fictitious details to a story.

• He embellished his jacket with lots of patches and pins
• She embellished the story of her vacation, making it sound more adventurous than it really was

Usually refers to decorative objects added to enhance the appearance of something, particularly during holidays or special occasions. Can also mean to add unnecessary details.

• The Christmas tree was beautifully ornamented with lights and tinsel
• She ornaments her drawings with elaborate borders and patterns

Primarily used in the context of food, referring to adding decorative or flavorful items to a dish to enhance its appearance and taste.

• The chef garnished the plate with a sprig of fresh parsley
• She always garnishes her cocktails with a slice of lime

Use 'decorate' when you want to talk about making something look more attractive by adding items or colors. It can refer to homes, rooms, or event spaces.

• They plan to decorate the living room with new furniture and paintings.
• She loves to decorate the Christmas tree every year.

A 'medal' is typically given as part of a formal recognition of excellence or bravery in sports, military, or other competitions.

• She received a gold medal in the swimming competition.
• The soldier was awarded a medal for his bravery in battle.

A 'badge' is often used in contexts involving identification, membership, or achievement. It can be worn by employees, students, or members of organizations.

• The security guard asked to see her employee badge.
• The scouts proudly wore their new badges.

The word 'honors' is suitable when talking about recognition for outstanding achievement, often in academic or formal settings.

• He graduated with honors from the university.
• The ceremony was held to bestow honors on the valedictorian.