decal
Americannoun
-
a specially prepared paper bearing a picture or design for transfer to wood, metal, glass, etc.
-
the picture or design itself.
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
Etymology
Origin of decal
First recorded in 1950–55; shortened form of decalcomania
Explanation
A decal is an image that can be transferred to a surface using heat or water. Decals are similar to stickers, but they don't use a sticky substance for adhering to the new surface. A decal is sometimes called a "transfer," and it consists of a picture, image, pattern, or design that's printed on paper, plastic, or cloth. By holding a hot iron on the back of the decal, or dabbing a small amount of water on it, the image can be moved to a new surface. Decal is a shortened form of decalcomania, from the original French décalcomanie, a technique for transferring prints onto pottery.
Vocabulary lists containing decal
Just Mercy
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Users have pointed out that the American flag decal on the phone’s case does not display the flag properly, showing 11 stripes instead of 13 to represent the Thirteen Colonies.
From Salon • May 21, 2026
When Bronner pulled up to company headquarters in his Tesla—a dragon decal along the side and a speckled mutt in the back seat—he was 30 minutes late.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
To advertise her business, she affixed a decal and phone number to her white 1984 Pontiac Fiero, a sporty two-seater with retractable headlights.
From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026
Through the tear gas and dust, his family recognized Retes’ car and the veteran decal on his window.
From Salon • Oct. 16, 2025
Finally, she removed a plastic model of an F-8 Crusader, paused to fix a misplaced decal with a small application of spit, then set it down in a window ledge.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
