decoration
gb/dˌɛkɚˈeɪʃən/ us/dˌɛkɚˈeɪʃən/
B1
English
~ 8400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
ornamental object or feature
Something that you put on a place or thing to make it look nice or special, not because you need it.
Usage pattern:
put [decorations] on [something]
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.
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.)
Collocations
Christmas decorations
|party decorations
|wall decoration
|table decoration
|cake decorations
|street decorations
Themes
daily life
|home
|celebrations
|art
|daily_life
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We hung paper decorations from the ceiling before the party.
- The Christmas tree was covered in lights and colorful decorations.
- 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.
- The shop sells decorations for Christmas and Easter.
- 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.
Noun
B2
action
2
act or style of decorating
The work of making a room or place look nicer, and the way it looks after the work is finished.
Usage pattern:
the decoration of [a place]
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.
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.)
Collocations
interior decoration
|home decoration
|room decoration
|wedding decoration
|cake decoration
|the decoration of the house
Themes
home
|art
|work
|daily life
|housing
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The decoration of the new office took three weeks.
- We hired a professional to handle the interior decoration of the apartment.
- 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.
- We talked about the decoration for the school party.
- He is studying interior decoration at college.
- The shop offers free home decoration advice.
- I do the decoration, and my brother does the cleaning.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
3
official medal as an honor
A special medal or badge that a government or group gives someone to show respect for brave or important work.
Usage pattern:
receive a decoration for [service/action]
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.
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.)
Collocations
military decoration
|state decoration
|receive a decoration
|award a decoration
|wear a decoration
|highest decoration
Themes
military
|government
|work
|society
|law
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He received a military decoration for his bravery during the conflict.
- Several officers were awarded decorations at the ceremony.
- 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.
- She wore her decoration at the official ceremony.
- He received a state decoration from the president.
- The medal is the country’s highest decoration.
- Many decorations were given after the war.
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.