decal

American  

[dee-kal, dih-kal] / ˈdi kæl, dɪˈkæl /

noun

1. a specially prepared paper bearing a picture or design for transfer to wood, metal, glass, etc.

2. the picture or design itself.

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verb (used with object)

decaled, decalled, decaling, decalling

1. to apply decals on.

decal British  

/ dɪˈkæl, ˈdiːkæl /

noun

1. short for decalcomania

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verb

1. to transfer (a design) by decalcomania

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.

Example Sentences

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

On Sunday, one of the ICE cars, a familiar white SUV from Terminal Island, was spotted with a new decal on its door: a bright-yellow “$8 Wash and Wax” sticker.

From Slate • Oct. 27, 2025

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

Related Words

• emblem