decoupage

[ dey-koo-pahzh ]

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)

, de·cou·paged, de·cou·pag·ing.

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of decoupage¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of decoupage¹

C20: from French, from découper to cut out, from de- + couper to cut

Example Sentences

The Etsy store Sea and Stable has turned oyster shells into blue decoupage chinoiserie jewelry holders and trinket bowls.

From Seattle Times

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

From Seattle Times

Metal utility carts come in a range of colors; if you can paint, then stencil or decoupage one yourself.

From Seattle Times

Though, I’d seen enough paper-plate crafts and lumpy decoupage to know exactly what she meant about the difference between a hobby and a skill.

From Literature

It also includes bonus lessons and arrives fortified with zippy decoupage graphics, plus more historical footage and inspirational oomph.

From Washington Post