decorate

Universal Words verb 1 [VN] ~ sth (with sth) to make sth look more attractive by putting things on it: They decorated the room with flowers and balloons. * The cake was decorated to look like a car. 2 (especially BrE) to put paint, WALLPAPER, etc. on the walls and ceilings of a room or house: [V] I hate decorating. * He has his own painting and decorating business. * [VN] We need to decorate the sitting room. * The sitting room needs decorating. 3 [VN] to be placed on sth in order to make it look more attractive SYNADORN: Photographs of actors decorated the walls of the restaurant. 4 [VN] [usuallypassive] ~ sb (for sth) to give sb a medal as a sign of respect for sth they have done: She was decorated for her efforts during the war.