decked in

Ret's Word of the Day
/dɛkt ɪn/
[ dek-t in ]
🔊 Hear it on YouGlish

Definition

The meaning: Decked in means “dressed in” or “adorned with,” especially when referring to elaborate or eye-catching clothing or decorations.

La signification : Decked in signifie « vêtu de » ou « orné de », souvent de manière voyante ou élégante.

Example: “She arrived decked in silk and diamonds, turning every head in the room.”

Word Analysis

French equivalents
»» Vêtu de
»» Paré de
»» Habillé en
»» Ⓐ Il était paré de bijoux en or.
»» Ⓑ Elle est arrivée vêtue de rouge.

English equivalents
»» Dressed in
»» Adorned with
»» Wearing
»» Ⓐ The guests were decked in glamorous evening wear.
»» Ⓑ Soldiers decked in full uniform marched past.
    

Dialogue

Leo: "Did you see what Clara was wearing at the gala?"
Maya: "Yes! She was decked in silver from head to toe."
Leo: "She definitely stole the show."
    

Etymology

Origin: From Middle English decken (“to cover”), borrowed from Middle Dutch. The verb deck originally meant “to adorn or decorate.” The phrase “decked in” evolved to mean “dressed in” or “wearing.”

Modern Usage: Common in both casual and formal contexts, especially in descriptive writing or fashion commentary.

Grammar Note: “Decked in” is typically used in passive or descriptive constructions. Example: “They were decked in matching costumes.”

Audience

Decked in is widely used in English, particularly in storytelling, fashion writing, and journalistic contexts.

When to use: Use this expression when describing someone's attire or decorative appearance, especially when it’s meant to impress. Example: “The halls were decked in festive colours for the holiday party.”

Dictionary Meaning

The Free Dictionary defines it as
1. Dressed in an especially extravagant manner.
2. To decorate something lavishly or elaborately.
NB: Think of "decked out" as meaning "fully decorated" or "dressed to impress," and "decked in" as describing what someone is wearing.

Here's an example of use: "Wow, you sure got decked out for the party tonight! Maybe I should have worn something nicer than jeans."

News Snippet

"Trump’s tone was uncharacteristically conciliatory, although it bridged no compromise on his drive to reduce immigration, which he painted as responsible for a plethora of social ills.

Looking on, were dozens of Democratic lawmakers, some decked in black to honor the victims of sexual harassment and still others wearing butterfly stickers in support of immigrants — two social issues that more than any others have roiled America in the age of Trump."

Read the Full Article

Poem Extract

The Boy Who Would Die [excerpt]
            
The bedroom was a shallow grave—
perhaps the opinion of the men who came,
or of the wardrobe in that room in which a woman hid.
In any case, there was a burial in that room;
decked in bright pyjamas he slept
as bullets hankered for the softness of his body
and found the linoleum under the bed.

Poet: Rethabile MasiloThe Poet's Books
Read the Full Poem

Extra! Extra!

For a fun and engaging exploration of our word of the day, watch the following…

Deck out: two meanings

'Bebeck and Deck out

WordReference

When exploring the nuances of words, sometimes dictionaries don't provide enough context. The WordReference Forums offer insightful discussions that delve into the subtleties of language, including idiomatic expressions, usage nuances, and translations across languages.

Here are some quick links to help you navigate WordReference for deeper understanding:
» English⇄English–Discuss and learn about words and their usage.
» English⇄French–Explore translations and linguistic nuances
» Synonyms⇄Antonyms–Contextual variations, etc.

Today's Word of the Day

Common Idioms & Expressions Related to "Decked In"

Dressed to the nines
Wearing very fashionable or formal clothing; impeccably dressed.

Example: "He showed up to the wedding dressed to the nines in a tailored suit."



All dolled up
Dressed in a fancy or glamorous way, especially with makeup and accessories.

Example: "She was all dolled up for her birthday party."



Sunday best
One’s best clothes, usually worn for special occasions.

Example: "The kids were in their Sunday best for the family photo."



Look like a million bucks
To look exceptionally good, stylish, or attractive.

Example: "You look like a million bucks in that dress!"



Put on the ritz
To dress or behave in a showy or extravagant way.

Example: "They really put on the ritz for the charity gala."



Decked out
Decorated or dressed up in an elaborate or festive way (near synonym to "decked in").

Example: "The town was decked out in lights for the festival."


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