decoupage

noun

de·cou·page ˌdā-(ˌ)kü-ˈpäzh

variants or découpage

: the art of decorating surfaces by applying cutouts (as of paper) and then coating with usually several layers of finish (such as lacquer or varnish)

: work produced by decoupage

decoupage transitive verb

or découpage

Did you know?

Decoupage originated in France in the 17th century as a means of artistically decorating pieces of furniture with pictures. It took a few centuries, but by the mid-20th century decoupage became a household name in American interior decoration. The word is fashioned from Middle French decouper, meaning "to cut out." Decouper, in turn, pastes together the prefix de- ("from" or "away") and couper ("to cut). Other descendants of couper include coppice (a growth of small trees that are periodically cut), coupé (a horse-drawn carriage for two with a driver outside and whose name is thought to be from French carrosse coupé, literally, "cut-off coach"), and the clear-cut coupon.

Examples of decoupage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The castle also offers a Christmas decoration wood decoupage workshop and the opportunity to learn about Georgian chocolate, as well as a performance by Northern Ireland’s 25-member chamber choir Cappella Caeciliana on Dec. 15. —

Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024 Paint pumpkin with a 2:1 blend of decoupage medium and water, then apply shapes. —

Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2024 The group had previously tried decoupage, painting and pottery together. —

Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2024 Brush the decoupage medium onto the back of a paper strip and apply it to an egg, smoothing out the excess glue and air bubbles, and repeat until the egg is covered. —

Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for decoupage

Word History

Etymology

French découpage, literally, act of cutting out, from Middle French, from decouper to cut out, from de- + couper to cut — more at cope entry 1

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of decoupage was in 1946

See more words from the same year