decal

noun

de·​cal ˈdē-ˌkal How to pronounce decal (audio) di-ˈkal How to pronounce decal (audio)
Canadian usually
ˈde-kəl How to pronounce decal (audio)
: a picture, design, or label made to be transferred (as to glass) from specially prepared paper

Examples of decal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web To honor Miller’s legacy, the Nos. 42, 43 and 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota Camry’s will run a special decal for the remainder of the 2024 season. Bruce Martin, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 The pair fled the scene in a white pickup truck with a DTE energy decal. Christina Coulter, Fox News, 15 Oct. 2024 Fox's left hand pinky and right hand ring finger are a sheer pink color surrounded by a blood red outline all around the nail, with a silver sword-like decal applied to the center of both nails. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 30 Sep. 2024 Simone Rocha At Luar’s NYFW show, makeshift decals dangled from the nails, black beads draping from the fingertips. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for decal 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

short for decalcomania

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of decal was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near decal

Cite this Entry

“Decal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decal. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

decal

noun
de·​cal ˈdē-ˌkal How to pronounce decal (audio) di-ˈkal How to pronounce decal (audio)
ˈdek-əl
: a picture, design, or label made to be transferred (as to glass) from specially prepared paper
Etymology

a shortened form of earlier decalcomania "the art of transferring pictures," from French décalcomanie (same meaning), from décalquer "to copy by tracing" and manie "mania, craze"

More from Merriam-Webster on decal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!