decoration
gb/dˌɛkɚˈeɪʃən/ us/dˌɛkɚˈeɪʃən/
B1
English
~ 8400
dísz, dekoráció, díszítés, dekorálás, lakberendezés, kitüntetés, érdemérem
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
put [decorations] on [something]
We hung paper decorations from the ceiling before the party.
A buli előtt papírdíszeket akasztottunk fel a mennyezetre.
The Christmas tree was covered in lights and colorful decorations.
A karácsonyfa tele volt fényekkel és színes díszekkel.
She keeps a few small decorations on her desk to make the office feel friendlier.
The restaurant uses fresh flowers as table decorations every evening.
They bought cheap Halloween decorations to put in the front yard.
Learner examples
We put decorations on the wall for her birthday.
Díszeket tettünk a falra a születésnapjára.
The shop sells decorations for Christmas and Easter.
Az üzlet karácsonyi és húsvéti díszeket árul.
I like simple decorations in my room.
There were many orange and black decorations at the Halloween party.
The cake had chocolate decorations on the top.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"I like your decorate"* instead of *"I like your decoration"* when talking about objects that make a place look nice. Use *decoration* (noun) for the thing itself, and *decorate* (verb) for the action. Also, do not use *decoration* for make-up on a person’s face; use *make-up* or *cosmetics* instead.
Meaning
ornamental object or feature
Collocations
Christmas decorations
|party decorations
|wall decoration
|table decoration
|cake decorations
|street decorations
Synonyms
ornament (Often a single decorative object, especially one small enough to sit on a surface like a shelf or table.)
|
embellishment (More formal; suggests extra details added to make something more attractive or interesting.)
Antonyms
plainness (Describes something without decoration, simple and without extra attractive details.)
|
minimalism (A style that avoids decorations and keeps only very simple forms and objects.)
Themes
daily life
|home
|celebrations
|art
|daily_life
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something that you put on a place or thing to make it look nice or special, not because you need it.
An object or extra feature that is added to something mainly to make it look more attractive or festive.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
the decoration of [a place]
The decoration of the new office took three weeks.
Az új iroda dekorálása három hétig tartott.
We hired a professional to handle the interior decoration of the apartment.
Megbíztunk egy szakembert a lakás lakberendezésével.
I like the modern decoration in this hotel lobby.
The hall still needs decoration before the wedding reception.
Her job is mainly graphic design, but she also helps with event decoration.
Learner examples
The decoration of the room is very simple.
A szoba díszítése nagyon egyszerű.
We talked about the decoration for the school party.
Beszéltünk az iskolai buli díszítéséről.
He is studying interior decoration at college.
The shop offers free home decoration advice.
I do the decoration, and my brother does the cleaning.
Common mistake:
Learners often use *decoration* instead of *decor* or *style*, saying things like *"I like the decoration of her clothes"* when they mean the general look of what she wears. Use *style* or *design* for a person’s general look, and *decoration* mainly for rooms, events, and objects. Also, in many cases *decor* (uncountable) sounds more natural for the overall look of an interior.
Meaning
act or style of decorating
Collocations
interior decoration
|home decoration
|room decoration
|wedding decoration
|cake decoration
|the decoration of the house
Synonyms
decorating (Very close in meaning; focuses more directly on the ongoing activity rather than the overall style or result.)
|
interior design (More professional and formal; suggests planning the full look and function of a space, not just surface decoration.)
Antonyms
construction (Focuses on building the structure itself, not on making it look attractive after it is built.)
|
renovation (Focuses on repairing or improving the structure; may include decoration but is not mainly about appearance.)
Themes
home
|art
|work
|daily life
|housing
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The work of making a room or place look nicer, and the way it looks after the work is finished.
The activity, style, or result of making a place or object more attractive in appearance, especially the inside of a building.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
3
kitüntetés
B2
érdemérem
C1
Usage pattern:
receive a decoration for [service/action]
He received a military decoration for his bravery during the conflict.
A konfliktus során tanúsított bátorságáért katonai kitüntetést kapott.
Several officers were awarded decorations at the ceremony.
Az ünnepségen több tiszt is kitüntetésben részesült.
She wore her highest decoration on her uniform for the parade.
The government announced a new decoration for outstanding public service.
After the war, he refused all decorations, saying he had only done his duty.
Learner examples
The soldier got a decoration for his brave actions.
A katona kitüntetést kapott bátor tetteiért.
She wore her decoration at the official ceremony.
A hivatalos ünnepségen viselte a kitüntetését.
He received a state decoration from the president.
The medal is the country’s highest decoration.
Many decorations were given after the war.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with normal *decorations* used to make a place look nice. In this sense, *decoration* is usually singular or used in limited collocations like *military decoration* or *state decoration* and refers to an honor, not party or home items.
Meaning
official medal as an honor
Collocations
military decoration
|state decoration
|receive a decoration
|award a decoration
|wear a decoration
|highest decoration
Synonyms
medal (The most common everyday word; refers to the physical object and is not always formal or state-related.)
|
honor (More general; can mean any official praise or award, not just a physical medal.)
Antonyms
disgrace (Describes a loss of respect or honor, the opposite social meaning of receiving a decoration.)
|
demotion (An official lowering of rank, contrasting with the recognition and status that a decoration implies.)
Themes
military
|government
|work
|society
|law
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A special medal or badge that a government or group gives someone to show respect for brave or important work.
An official medal, badge, or similar object given to someone as a public honor, especially for military service or bravery.
Grammar
Dictionary form
decoration
IPA
GB/dˌɛkɚˈeɪʃən/
US/dˌɛkɚˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
dec - or - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (or)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: decoration
- Plural: decoration, decorations
Word family
Forms
decorations
noun
Core family
Related words
decor
noun B1
redecorate
verb
Negative and opposite forms
undecorated
adjective
Advanced or less common
decoratively
adverb
Expressions
cake decoration
1/kˈeɪk dˌɛkɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
making cakes look attractive
The work of making a cake look pretty by adding cream, sugar shapes, fruit, or other edible things.
Examples
- She took a course in cake decoration at the local college.
- The bakery is known for its creative cake decoration.
- Cake decoration is my favorite part of baking.
Christmas decorations
1/kɹˈɪsməs dˌɛkɚˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
items to decorate for Christmas
Things like lights, balls, and other items that people put up to make places look nice for Christmas.
Examples
- We always put up our Christmas decorations on the first of December.
- The shopping mall has beautiful Christmas decorations this year.
- They keep their Christmas decorations in the attic during the summer.
for decoration
1/fɚ dˌɛkɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
existing only to look nice
Used to say that something is there only to make a place or thing look nice, not to be used in a practical way.
Examples
- Those cushions are just for decoration, so please don’t sit on them.
- The empty bottles on the shelf are only for decoration.
- He keeps an old typewriter on his desk for decoration.
interior decoration
1/ɪntˈɪɹiɚ dˌɛkɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
style and decorating of interiors
The work and style of choosing colors, furniture, and other things to make the inside of a house or building look nice.
Examples
- She studied interior decoration at art school.
- The hotel is famous for its modern interior decoration.
- He runs a small business that offers painting and interior decoration services.
military decoration
1/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi dˌɛkɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
official medal for military service
A special medal that a soldier or officer gets from the army or government for brave or good work.
Examples
- He received a high military decoration for his actions in combat.
- The general presented several military decorations at the ceremony.
- She is the first woman in her unit to be awarded this military decoration.
party decorations
1/pˈɑɹti dˌɛkɚˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
items to decorate for a party
Balloons, banners, lights, and other things that you use to make a place look fun for a party.
Examples
- We spent all morning putting up party decorations in the garden.
- Don’t forget to take down the party decorations after everyone leaves.
- The kids helped choose the party decorations for the school event.
state decoration
1/stˈeɪt dˌɛkɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
official medal from the state
A special medal or honor that the government of a country gives to a person for important work or service.
Examples
- She received a state decoration for her contributions to education.
- Several artists were awarded state decorations on Independence Day.
- The scientist accepted the state decoration on behalf of her research team.