decal

noun

de·​cal ˈdē-ˌkal  di-ˈkal 

Canadian usually

ˈde-kəl 

: 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

The neon green designs and eclectic decals are specific to this vehicle and to intrigue consumers interested in an off-road lifestyle. —Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026

Those products include headwear, baseball cards, memorabilia, posters, photographs, pennants, computer and video games, patches, decals, collectibles, bags and drinkware. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Jan. 2026

This set is especially stunning in a rich, plummy red shade and a cat-eye finish, with gold decals for extra shimmer. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026

The stickers on Ohio State’s football helmets are quarter-sized white decals featuring a green buckeye leaf. —Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 1 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

short for decalcomania

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for decal

• freckle
• meckel
• shekel
• speckle
• thecal

Kids Definition

decal

noun

de·​cal ˈdē-ˌkal  di-ˈkal 

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"