From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishldoce_065_ddecoratedec‧o‧rate /ˈdekəreɪt/ ●●○ verb 1 [intransitive, transitive]DECORATEPAINT British English to paint the inside of a room, put special paper on the walls etc The bathroom is decorated in green and yellow. We plan to spend the weekend decorating.2 [transitive]DECORATE to make something look more attractive by putting something pretty on it Children’s pictures decorated the walls of the classroom.decorate something with something an old-fashioned dress decorated with ribbons and lace3 [transitive]CELEBRATE to give someone a medal as an official sign of honourdecorate somebody for something soldiers decorated for bravery —decorating noun [uncountable]→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
decorate• We spent all weekend decorating.• Mum had the whole house decorated before she moved in.• The long, low church is decorated by paintings all over the exterior and interior walls, openings and window frames.• Tom had decorated his room with a series of photos of Naples.• The children always enjoy decorating the Christmas tree.• Among the plastic rats, fluffy animals and copies of the Sun decorating the desks was at least one Labour red rose.• Sliced kiwi fruit may be used to decorate the dessert.• They've just finished decorating the kitchen.• They decorated the place with hanging plants and printed fabrics stretched over wooden frames.• He even brought copper and brass items to decorate the place.• Encourage children to pick out their own clothes, to decorate their own rooms, and to choose their own activities.• Sometimes the streets are decorated with flower petals, although this custom is dying out.• It is easy to cut and handle and can be decorated with paper or textured paint.decorated for bravery• He had already been decorated for bravery.Origin decorate (1500-1600) Latin decoratus, past participle of decorare “to decorate”, from decus “honour, decoration”