Etymology Map
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Decor

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the furnishing and decoration of a room

Where does the word "decor" come from? It comes from Latin decorum, passing through French before entering English (1890s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
decorum
Latin · ancient
"what is fitting"
from 'decere', to be fitting
2
Stage 2 of 3
décor
French · 1800s
"decoration"
stage scenery, then interior design
3
Stage 3 of 3
decor
English · 1890s
"stage scenery"
'home decor' dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Decor’s story begins in Latin: decorum meant “what is fitting.” From 'decere', to be fitting. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in French as décor. Stage scenery, then interior design. It reached English by 1890s as decor. 'home decor' dates from the 1900s. Today, decor means the furnishing and decoration of a room.