beautify

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "beautify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the action of making something more attractive, pleasant, or appealing. For example, "They hired a landscape designer to beautify their yard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Them pigeons there to beautify the park, not to eat.

The Guardian - Books

They have ample room to beautify their records, by using different ways to translate past returns, earned in national currencies, into euros.To see how this might happen, pretend the euro was launched on January 1st 1997 with its value set equal to the ecu, a basket of Europe's national currencies, as the real euro will be.

The Economist

If florists had such a lock on the levers of power, you might expect subsidies for weddings, a campaign to beautify cities and the addition of Godmothers' Day, Aunts' Day and Librarians' Day to the calendar.

The Economist

IN APRIL 2010, as part of a scheme to beautify the rundown port near the centre of Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympic games, workers were replacing the drainage system in a shabby square when they found some old cans.

The Economist

It is almost as comforting to know that each year the proceeds of tennis do much to beautify the town of Wimbledon with hanging baskets, the refurbishment of public lavatories, and the floodlighting of St Mary's Church.But the doubts remain.

The Economist

After naming social hierarchy the "true moral equality" that binds a polity together, Mr Burke identified it as a "pleasing illusion" which makes "power gentle and obedience liberal" and ushers "into politics the sentiments which beautify and soften private society".

The Economist

The timber could be used to restore and beautify lost villages.The sugi were planted across Japan after the war as material to rebuild destroyed cities and towns.

The Economist

A major project to beautify the areas around the Taj Mahal monument in Agra was riddled with allegations of corruption, and a lawsuit against her eventually ended up in the Indian Supreme Court.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the field of culture, he promoted the arts and sciences and helped to beautify Mexico City by encouraging the construction of the square that bears his name.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Like the murals of these artists, great works of graffiti can beautify a neighbourhood and speak to the interests of a specific community.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During the 18th century a great deal was done to improve and beautify Paris.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing efforts to improve a space or object, consider using "beautify" to convey a specific focus on aesthetic enhancement.

Common error

While "beautify" is widely understood, it can sound less formal than alternatives like "enhance" or "improve the aesthetics", especially in academic or professional writing.

Linguistic Context

The verb "beautify" functions primarily to describe the action of making something more visually appealing or attractive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard term for improving aesthetics, with ample examples available in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "beautify" is a common and grammatically correct verb used to describe making something more attractive. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. While versatile, it's most frequently encountered in news and media, and encyclopedic contexts. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "enhance" or "improve the aesthetics". Remember that the best practice is to use "beautify" to describe efforts focused primarily on aesthetic enhancement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make more attractive

A straightforward way of saying something is being made to look better.

enhance

General term for improving quality or appearance.

enhance the appearance

Focuses on improving how something looks without necessarily making it conventionally beautiful.

decorate

Focuses on adding ornamentation for visual appeal.

adorn

Suggests adding something decorative to enhance beauty.

prettify

Informal term for making something conventionally pretty.

embellish

Implies adding details to make something more attractive, possibly more elaborate.

ornament

To add decorative items.

improve the aesthetics

Focuses on the philosophical concept of beauty and visual appeal.

spruce up

Informal phrase for making something neater or more attractive.

FAQs

How can I use "beautify" in a sentence?

You can use "beautify" to describe the act of making something more attractive. For example, "The city council launched a project to beautify the downtown area."

What are some alternatives to "beautify"?

Alternatives include "enhance the appearance", "make more attractive", or "embellish", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "beautify" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "beautify" might be less suitable for highly formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "enhance" or "improve the aesthetics" for a more professional tone.

What is the difference between "beautify" and "decorate"?

"Beautify" generally refers to enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal, while "decorate" specifically involves adding ornamentation or decorative elements.