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Decorated

adj. capable, resilient everyday

What it means

Meaning 1

Made more attractive through added color, pattern, or ornament.

Reach for it when describing a surface or place enhanced with visible details

The decorated arch welcomed walkers into the restored garden.

Meaning 2

Publicly honored with medals or awards for notable service.

Reach for it when recognizing a person whose formal distinctions are relevant

A decorated firefighter presented the certificates to the new recruits.

Words to choose between 7

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom, and by meaning across. Tap a word to see when it fits.
Meaning 1Meaning 2
everyday
  • Decorated (this word)
warm
professional
formal
literary

Meaning 1: Made more attractive through added color, pattern, or ornament.

  • professional

    patterned

    Fits when repeated visual motifs are the actual treatment

    Careful A decorated object may use ribbons, objects, or color without any pattern.

  • formal

    ornamented

    Fits when applied decorative objects are clearly visible

    Careful It can imply a dense or traditional treatment rather than any decorated surface.

  • literary

    adorned

    Fits when the added feature feels graceful and complimentary

    Careful The elevated tone is ill suited to ordinary party decorations.

  • literary

    embellished

    Fits when extra detail makes the original form richer

    Careful Embellished may suggest unnecessary excess or a story altered beyond the facts.

Meaning 2: Publicly honored with medals or awards for notable service.

  • warm

    honored

    Fits when recognition matters more than the physical award

    Careful Someone can be honored informally without becoming officially decorated.

  • professional

    award-winning

    Fits when a specific competitive award supports the praise

    Careful This can describe a work or business and does not imply medals for service.

  • formal

    distinguished

    Fits when a sustained record has earned broad respect

    Careful Distinguished is a reputation claim, while decorated refers to formal honors actually received.

Opposites 4

  • plain
  • unadorned
  • unrecognized
  • unhonored

Common phrases 3

  • decorated hall

    The decorated hall glowed with hundreds of folded lanterns.

  • richly decorated

    A richly decorated panel covered the old fireplace.

  • decorated veteran

    The decorated veteran spoke mainly about the medics who served beside her.

Word family 1

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Neskaya, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated