The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word DECORATE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
D
E
C
O
R
A
T
E
More clues leading to the result DECORATE
- Grace to make speech at the end of month
- Last month speak in court to confer award
- Consider following art movement and paint
- Give one an order to paint?
- Embellish talk to be given at end of month
- Honour City men during night out
- Month men put away ornament
- Spruce up the place after November say
- Award a medal for dress?
- Give an order — to paint?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "to confer award" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case to confer award = decorate.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DECORATE mean?
DECORATE verb- To furnish with decorations.
- To improve the appearance of an interior of, as a house, room, or office.
- To decorate an interior space, as a house, room, or office.
- To honor by providing a medal, ribbon, or other adornment.
- To extend a method, etc. by attaching some further code item.