# deco

/ˈdɛkoʊ/ (US) · /dˈɛkəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/deco
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. decoration

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a short word for decoration, often used when talking about how a room looks.

For teachers: a clipping of decoration, typically used in informal contexts regarding interior design or festive ornaments.

- We need to buy some new deco for the living room before the party.
- The event planner suggested adding some minimalist deco to the lobby to create a more professional atmosphere for the conference.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to a general style of decoration.

### 2. Art Deco style

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a popular style of art and design from the 1920s and 1930s with bold shapes.

For teachers: a synonym for Art Deco, referring to the influential visual arts design style that first appeared in France just before World War I.

- The old cinema was built in a beautiful deco style with gold lines.
- The architect drew inspiration from classic deco motifs, incorporating geometric patterns and sleek metallic finishes into the skyscraper's facade.

Usage: Frequently functions as a modifier before another noun, such as 'deco furniture' or 'deco architecture'.

### 3. scuba decompression

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical · Informal

the process of slowly coming back to the surface after a deep dive.

For teachers: a technical clipping of decompression, referring to the staged reduction in ambient pressure during a diver's ascent.

- The divers had to stop for ten minutes of deco before reaching the surface.
- Failure to complete the required deco stops after a deep technical dive can lead to severe decompression sickness.

Usage: Commonly used as an uncountable noun within the diving community.

## Examples

- I love the modern deco in this apartment.
- She spent the weekend updating the deco with new cushions and fresh paint.
- The magazine article contrasted the minimalist deco of the city loft with the cluttered, maximalist style of the country estate.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.