Beautify

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈbjuː.tɪ.faɪ/

Definitions

1. To enhance the appearance of something so it looks more pleasing or attractive
2. To improve or decorate something in order to increase its visual appeal
3. To add elements or changes that increase the aesthetic charm or attractiveness of an object or place

Etymology: "Beautify" is a straightforward compound of two older pieces: a Latin root meaning "beautiful" and a suffix meaning "make." Its ancestor, Middle English "beutifien," came into the language by way of Old French "beaute," which itself descends from Latin "bellus," meaning "beautiful" or "fine." The word thus carries a bit of French polish on top of a Latin core. The second half of the word, "-ify," comes directly from Latin "facio," meaning "make" or "do." English has borrowed this ending widely, so verbs such as "simplify," "clarify," and "purify" all follow the same pattern of turning an adjective or noun into a verb meaning "to make it so."

Synonyms: enhance, decorate, adorn, embellish, glamorize

Antonyms: ugly, disfigure, diminish, degrade, deface