Meaning & use
accessorizing
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“accessorizing” is a form of “accessorize”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
-ing form of accessorize: adding extras such as jewelry, scarves, bags or belts to an outfit to complete the look.
Grammar: Intransitive: she loves accessorizing. Transitive: accessorizing an outfit with a scarf.
Patterns
- accessorizing something with something
- accessorizing with something
She enjoys accessorizing a plain dress with bright jewelry.
He is accessorizing his suit with a pocket square.
Accessorizing with a scarf can change an outfit completely.
verbtransitive
-ing form of accessorize: adding extra items to a thing such as a phone, car or room to decorate or customize it.
Grammar: Takes an object: accessorizing a room.
Patterns
- accessorizing something with something
They spent the weekend accessorizing the living room with cushions.
He was accessorizing his bike with new lights.
Word forms
| base form | accessorize |
|---|---|
| third person singular | accessorizes |
| past tense | accessorized |
Common combinations
- accessorizing with
- She is accessorizing with bold earrings.
- accessorizing an outfit
- Accessorizing an outfit can take only a minute.
- accessorizing a room
- Accessorizing a room with plants makes it feel warm.
- love accessorizing
- Teenagers often love accessorizing their phones.
- accessorizing tips
- The magazine offered accessorizing tips for winter.
Synonyms and how they differ
- decorating
- Decorating is broader and applies to surfaces and spaces, while accessorizing adds finishing touches.
- adorning
- Adorning is more formal and literary and suggests making something beautiful.
- embellishing
- Embellishing means adding details to make something more attractive, and is more formal than accessorizing.
- styling
- Styling covers the whole look, including clothing, hair and makeup, rather than only extras.
Word family
- accessory noun
- an extra item that completes an outfit or device
- accessorize verb
- to add extras to an outfit or object
- accessories noun
- the plural of accessory
- accessible adjective
- easy to reach, similar in spelling but unrelated in meaning
Commonly confused: accessorizing or accessory vs accessary?
accessorizing vs accessory vs accessary
Accessory is the usual spelling for an extra item; accessary is an old legal variant for a helper in a crime.
Practice
She is good at ___ simple outfits with scarves and statement necklaces.
Choose one answer.
Accessorizing means adding extras like scarves and necklaces to complete a look. The other verbs have unrelated meanings.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “accessorizing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.