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

Designer Charles Harbison opted for a relaxed look with a pop of red in a half and half button-down shirt with bow decals on the wrists, black slacks, and grey tabi boots. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 8 Sep. 2024

In a 20-second video posted on the presumptive Republican nominee's Truth Social page, a pickup truck featuring pro-Trump flags can be seen with a large decal on its rear end showing Biden bound by his legs and hands, lying horizontally. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024

Installing bird screens or window decals are other ways to divert birds from hitting windows. —Paulina Smolinski, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2024

While most of us have historically collected leather ballerinas adorned with — at most — a delicate, wire-thin bow at the toe, this season’s ballet style has head-turning decals. —Sarah Wasilak, refinery29.com, 27 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

short for decalcomania

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

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"