decorate
Definitions
To make (something) more attractive by adding ornaments
装饰，点缀
To apply paint or wallpaper to a room or building
（英）粉刷，裱糊（房间）
To award a medal or honor to (someone) for service or bravery
授予……勋章，表彰
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Latin decorāre 'to make fitting/handsome' (decor 'beauty, grace' + -ate, to make) = to add what makes something look right. The same image powers the 'award a medal' sense: a decoration is a fitting public honor pinned on someone — adorning them for conduct that deserved recognition.
Root dec still carries 19 more wordsWhy It Means This
Decorate sits where the family crosses from behavior to appearance. 'Decorate the hall' and 'decorate a hero with a medal' look unrelated, but both come from one idea: adding the becoming thing. A medal is literally a decoration — an adornment of honor. Note the British sense too: in BrE 'decorating' often means specifically painting and wallpapering, not just hanging ornaments.
Common Collocations
- 1.decorate a room装饰房间
- 2.decorate the house布置房子
- 3.decorate a cake装饰蛋糕
- 4.decorate for Christmas为圣诞节布置
- 5.be decorated for bravery因英勇获授勋章
Example Sentences
- 1.
They decorated the room with balloons and streamers.
- 2.
We're decorating the spare bedroom this weekend.
- 3.
He was decorated for bravery after the rescue.