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

And when you’re done, there’s no glue, residue, or damage left to deal with, thanks to the decals’ reusable, mess-free design. —Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025

Vehicles and Vanity Plates Before slapping on that back-window decal or registering for a vanity plate, think again—and not just about aesthetics. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2025

The personalization options vary, with the brand offering several different techniques based on the product; foil debossing, engraving, embroidery, vinyl decals, laser etching, and hand stamping are all in the repertoire. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Dec. 2025

Customization rewards include two new decals, one inscription, and two distinct 2D styles with new Marks of Excellence. —Giana Levy, Variety, 2 Dec. 2025

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"