Decorating: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŽจ
Add to dictionary

decorating

 

[หˆdษ›kษ™หŒreษชtษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

home design

The act of making something more attractive by adding decorative elements such as paint, wallpaper, or furniture.

Synonyms

adorning, embellishing, ornamenting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
decorating

This word is used when talking about adding simple, yet significant enhancements to a room, event, or object, often for the sake of aesthetics. It can apply to seasonal decorations, home refurbishments, or party setups.

  • We will be decorating the living room for Christmas.
  • She enjoys decorating cakes with intricate designs.
embellishing

Embellishing typically implies adding extra details that may be unnecessary but enhance the appearance or interest. It's often used in the context of storytelling, writing, or fashion.

  • He loves embellishing his stories to make them more exciting.
  • The dress was embellished with sequins and beads.
adorning

Adorning is often used in a more poetic or elegant context. It emphasizes the role of adding beauty or dignity, and it is frequently used with clothing, jewelry, or religious decorations.

  • She spent hours adorning herself with jewelry.
  • The king's crown was adorned with precious jewels.
ornamenting

Ornamenting is closely related to decorating but often implies a more formal or detailed process. It is usually used in contexts where intricate details are added, like architectural details or holiday decorations.

  • The Christmas tree was ornamented with glass baubles and tinsel.
  • The facade of the building was ornamented with intricate carvings.

Examples of usage

  • She spent the weekend decorating her living room.
  • The couple enjoys decorating their house for the holidays.
Context #2 | Verb

cake making

The process of adding icing, frosting, and other toppings to a cake to enhance its appearance.

Synonyms

frosting, icing, topping.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
decorating

Use for general enhancement or beautification activities, often regarding property or rooms.

  • They are decorating their new house
  • I love decorating my room with plants
icing

Use in baking when referring to a thin, sweet glaze that hardens upon cooling, often piped or spread over cakes and pastries.

  • The gingerbread cookies were covered in colorful icing
  • She carefully piped the icing onto the birthday cake
frosting

Commonly used in baking, especially when talking about a thick, creamy layer applied on cakes or cupcakes.

  • She made a chocolate cake with vanilla frosting
  • The kids enjoyed spreading the frosting on the cookies
topping

Use for any ingredient added on top of a food item to enhance flavor or appearance. This term is versatile and can apply to both sweet and savory foods.

  • He added chocolate chips as a topping on his ice cream
  • The pizza was delicious with extra cheese and pepperoni topping

Examples of usage

  • She is decorating the birthday cake with colorful sprinkles.
  • The baker is known for her skill in decorating wedding cakes.
Context #3 | Noun

celebration

The action or process of making something look more attractive for a special occasion or event.

Synonyms

beautification, embellishment, ornamentation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
decorating

Use this term when talking about making a space look better, often in terms of interior design, events, or holidays.

  • We are decorating the living room for the party
ornamentation

This term implies adding items specifically for decoration, often in the context of art, architecture, or fashion.

  • The ancient temple is known for its rich ornamentation
  • The dress featured minimal ornamentation but was elegant
beautification

This word is more formal and is often used in the context of improving the appearance of communities, parks, or public places.

  • The city councilโ€™s beautification project aims to plant more trees along the streets
embellishment

Use 'embellishment' when adding decorative details, often to objects or stories. It can have a slightly negative connotation if it implies excessive detail.

  • The old mansionโ€™s walls were covered in elaborate embellishments
  • He couldn't resist the embellishment of his fishing story

Examples of usage

  • The room was filled with balloons and streamers as part of the decorating for the party.
  • The school organized a decorating contest for Halloween.

Translations

Translations of the word "decorating" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น decorar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเคœเคพเคตเคŸ เค•เคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช dekorieren

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ menghias

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดะตะบะพั€ัƒะฒะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ dekorowaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฃ…้ฃพใ™ใ‚‹ (ใใ†ใ—ใ‚‡ใใ™ใ‚‹)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท dรฉcorer

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ decorar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท dekorasyon yapmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์žฅ์‹ํ•˜๋‹ค (jangsikhada)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชุฒูŠูŠู† (tazyin)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zdobit

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zdobiลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฃ…้ฅฐ (zhuฤngshรฌ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ okrasiti

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ skreyta

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะตะทะตะฝะดั–ั€ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒ แƒ—แƒ•แƒ (mortva)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ bษ™zษ™mษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ decorar

Etymology

The word 'decorating' originates from the Latin word 'decoratus', which means 'adorned' or 'embellished'. The practice of decorating dates back to ancient civilizations, where people used various materials to beautify their surroundings. Over time, decorating has evolved into a form of art and expression, with individuals and designers showcasing their creativity through color, texture, and style. Whether it's decorating a home, a cake, or a special event, the act of adding decorative elements continues to play a significant role in enhancing our surroundings and creating memorable experiences.

See also: decor, decorated, decorations, decoratively, decorator, overdecorate, overdecorated, redecorate, redecorating, undecorated.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,771, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.