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

That could include new signs across the entire 4,500-acre property; updated BNA Shop merchandise; shuttle bus decals, uniforms, business cards and amendments to hundreds of legal contracts, leases and other government documents. — Molly Davis, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

As a result, the state has sold 8,484 more sets of habitat plates than decals, according to data from the state Department of Game, Fish and Parks running from March 2025, when the plates first became available, through last month. — Joshua Haiar, States Newsroom, 10 Sep. 2026

Bergstrom and Soucy did not stick thousands of decals directly to their walls. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026

Bergstrom and Soucy never stuck a single decal directly to the paint. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 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"