decoration
deh-kuh-RAY-shuhn
Decoration (noun) means the act of making something look more attractive, or an item added purely to embellish it. Example: “The tree was covered in tinsel and other Christmas decorations.”
noun
1
The act of making something look more attractive, or an item added purely to embellish it.
"The tree was covered in tinsel and other Christmas decorations."
"Interior decoration was her main passion after retiring from teaching."
"The children made paper decorations for the classroom party."
2
A medal, ribbon, or similar item awarded as an honour, especially for military service.
"His chest was covered in decorations from three decades of service."
"The general wore every decoration he had earned on his dress uniform."
"She received a decoration from the king for her bravery during the war."
How to use decoration
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither an ornamental item added for looks, or a formal award/medal.
Common pairings
Christmas decorations
interior decoration
military decoration
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Word forms
- Plural
- decorations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The tree was covered in tinsel and other Christmas _____.
Etymology
From Latin decoratio, matching French décoration; built from decorate + -ion.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for decoration
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for decoration →
Frequently asked questions
What does “decoration” mean?
The word “decoration” means the act of making something look more attractive, or an item added purely to embellish it. In plain terms, either an ornamental item added for looks, or a formal award/medal.
How do you pronounce “decoration”?
“Decoration” is pronounced deh-kuh-RAY-shuhn (/ˌdɛkəˈɹeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “decoration” in a sentence?
Here is “decoration” used in a sentence: “The tree was covered in tinsel and other Christmas decorations.”
What is another word for “decoration”?
Words with a similar meaning to “decoration” include adornment, embellishment, ornament, garniture, garnish and garnishment.
What part of speech is “decoration”?
“Decoration” is a noun.
Where does the word “decoration” come from?
The word “decoration” comes from Latin. From Latin decoratio, matching French décoration; built from decorate + -ion.
Is “decoration” a common word?
“Decoration” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “decoration” have?
“Decoration” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of making something look more attractive, or an item added purely to embellish it.
What is the difference between a decoration and an ornament?
Decoration is the broader term for the act of making something look more attractive or any item added purely to embellish it. An ornament is one specific type of decoration, typically a small decorative object, while decoration can also refer to a military award or honour, a sense ornament does not carry.
What does decoration mean in a military context?
In a military context, a decoration refers to a medal, ribbon, or similar item awarded as an honour, especially for distinguished service. This is distinct from the everyday sense of decoration as visual embellishment.
Is decoration used more for objects or for the act of decorating?
Decoration can refer to both: it describes the act of making something look more attractive, and it also describes the individual items, such as ornaments or medals, used to achieve that effect.
