décor
Americannoun
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style or mode of decoration, as of a room, building, or the like.
modern office décor; a bedroom having a Spanish décor.
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decoration in general; ornamentation.
beads, baubles, and other décor.
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Theater. scenic decoration; scenery.
noun
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a style or scheme of interior decoration, furnishings, etc, as in a room or house
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stage decoration; scenery
Etymology
Origin of décor
1650–60; < French, derivative of décorer to decorate
Explanation
The way you paint and furnish a room in your house is its decor. Interior designers are experts at planning decor. Filmmakers who want to capture a certain look hire a production designer, whose job in part is to organize the decor on various sets. In your own house, the extent of your decor might be gray paint on the walls, a few knickknacks, bookshelves, and hand-me-down furniture. Decor comes from the French décor, from décorer, "to decorate." Decor was originally a theater term.
Vocabulary lists containing decor
English Words Derived from French, List 1
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The Prince and the Dressmaker
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English Words Derived from French, List 2
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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.
Because here’s the secret: it’s rarely the décor you haul out once a year, the turkey-shaped anything, or the glittery garlands destined for a January trash bag.
From Salon • Nov. 25, 2025
That marked the beginning of a widespread cultural shift to shorter cycles in clothing and décor trends and to throwing stuff away rather than repairing it.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025
The cocktails are a nod to Tamil film stars like Rajnikanth and Silk Smitha, and the décor channels Chennai's warmth.
From BBC • Jun. 27, 2025
It may spark excitement at first, but then the recipient is left with fitting it into the décor of their home … no small task, and often an unwanted chore.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2024
“I did wish it was closer to the sea, so we could have a better view. But I changed Daddy’s décor and it’s not too nouveau riche, I pray?”
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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.
