Vocabulary Spotlight

Bedizen

Part of Speech: Verb

Definition: To dress or adorn gaudily or in a showy manner.

“She arrived at the party bedizened in glittering jewelry and bright colors.”

Pronunciation

[bih-dahy-zuhn]

Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words

Synonyms

Deck
Adorn
Embellish
Bedeck
Garnish

Antonyms

Strip
Bare
Simplify
Unadorn
Remove

Related Words

Ornament
Dress

Word Origin

The term “bedizen” originates from the English word “dizen,” which meant to dress up in fine clothes or accessories. “Be-” is an intensifying prefix, so “bedizen” implies dressing up in an overly elaborate or showy way.

Word Family

Verb: Bedizen – To dress or decorate in a gaudy way.

Mnemonics

Think of “bedizen” as “be-dazzle” – to dress or decorate in a way that dazzles or is overly showy.

Industry-specific Usage

Fashion

In fashion, “bedizen” describes an outfit styled with excessive or flashy decorations, often for showy or theatrical purposes.

Theater

In theater, characters might be bedizened in flamboyant costumes to convey wealth or eccentricity.

Social Events

At social events, being bedizened often refers to someone adorned with eye-catching or extravagant attire.

In Context

“Bedizen” is used to describe dressing in an excessively decorative way, often seen as over-the-top or flashy. It implies an attempt to draw attention by choosing overly elaborate attire or accessories.

Vocabulary Challenges

1. What does “bedizen” mean?

To remove decoration
To simplify an outfit
To dress in a gaudy way
To bare oneself

“To dress in a gaudy way” is correct as “bedizen” means to adorn oneself excessively.

2. Fill in the blank: She was _______ in sparkling jewels and a feathered hat.

bedizened
stripped
underdressed
simplified

“Bedizened” is correct as it implies that she was adorned in a very showy way.

3. In which context would “bedizen” be most appropriate?

A simple meeting at a coffee shop
A minimalistic design showcase
A sports competition
A costume party with elaborate outfits

“A costume party with elaborate outfits” fits, as “bedizen” refers to dressing in an extravagant, showy way.