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decoupage

American  
[day-koo-pahzh] / ˌdeɪ kuˈpɑʒ /

noun

  1. the art or technique of decorating something with cut-outs of paper, linoleum, plastic, or other flat material over which varnish or lacquer is applied.

  2. work produced by the art or technique of decoupage.


verb (used with object)

decoupaged, decoupaging
  1. to decorate by decoupage.

    walls decoupaged with photographs of movie stars.

  2. to apply or use as decoupage or by decoupage technique.

    Let's decoupage these maps onto the tabletops.

decoupage British  
/ ˌdeɪkuːˈpɑːʒ /

noun

  1. the art or process of decorating a surface with shapes or illustrations cut from paper, card, etc

  2. anything produced by this technique

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of decoupage

1955–60; < French découpage a cutting out, equivalent to Middle French decoup ( er ) to cut out ( de- de- + couper to cut; see coupé, coup 1) + -age -age


Vocabulary lists containing decoupage

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.

See Examples For:

Or decoupage paper treasures onto the base of a serving tray, adding a coating of sealant.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 30, 2022

But a new line of glass decoupage plates by designer John Derian and artist Katharine Barnwell feature patterns taken from six presidential administrations.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 29, 2018

For those who haven’t browsed Mr. Derian’s decoupage home-décor pieces, his 6-pound book may suffice.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2016

Kristen DeWitte, Raven Cafe barista, will display her pieces such as keepsake boxes, decorated jars and paintings, while co-worker Samantha Damon will have her photography and decoupage candles for sale.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 15, 2015

Our stacks of Cosmopolitan were topped with an unread issue of Boy's Life or Sports Illustrated, and our decoupage projects were concealed beneath the sporting equipment we never asked for but always received.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Oh sure, Paul Lynde and Liberace were flouncing on television; closer to home, a boy I kept my distance from decoupaged his notebooks.

From New York Times ● Jan. 31, 2024

There might be some tension among performers in such an ego-driven profession over playing scenes with an adorable, decoupaged farm animal.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 25, 2022

Fortunately, I own a plate by the artist John Derian with an old handwritten note from the Algonquin Hotel decoupaged on it.

From New York Times ● Mar. 29, 2018

The central components of this extravaganza were the five hundred lovingly decoupaged balls.

From Slate ● Dec. 6, 2012

Occasionally one of the lovely ladies from church would include me in crafts, and consequently, I turned out decoupaged eggs and quilted pillows by the number.

From Through these Eyes The courageous struggle to find meaning in a life stressed with cancer by Lauren Ann Isaacson

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