2 syllables: De, cor. Stress on cor.
dik-AWR
/dɪˈkɔɹ/
Decor is pronounced dik-AWR (/dɪˈkɔɹ/). It has two syllables (De-cor), with the stress on "cor". Decor is a noun referring to the style and arrangement of a room or space, including items used for furnishing and the overall aesthetic. It encompasses furniture, color schemes, and decorative objects chosen to create a cohesive look. In everyday speech, decor often collocates with terms like home decor and interior decor.
nounDecor is a noun referring to the style and arrangement of a room or space, including items used for furnishing and the overall aesthetic. It encompasses furniture, color schemes, and decorative objects chosen to create a cohesive look. In everyday speech, decor often collocates with terms like home decor and interior decor.
"Her decor blends minimalist lines with warm textiles to create a inviting living room."
"The boutique sells unique decor pieces from around the world."
"She updated the decor for the party to match a vintage theme."
US: /ˈdɛkər/ (DEH-kər). UK: /ˈdekɔː/ or /ˈdeɪˌkɔː/ depending on region; AU: /ˈdekɔː/ with a longer final vowel. Focus on the first syllable stress, with a strong initial D and a schwa or mid vowel in the second syllable. Mouth positions: start with a relaxed open-mid front vowel for /e/ before /k/, then a relaxed syllabic r or schwa depending on accent. Audio references: consider listening to Cambridge or Oxford pronunciations for a clear US/UK contrast.
Two frequent errors: (1) pronouncing it as two syllables with a full /o/ in the second syllable (DEK-OR) instead of the reduced /ər/ in many US accents. (2) confusing /ˈdɛkər/ with /ˈdɛkoʊ/ by inserting a long /oʊ/ in the second syllable. Correction: keep the second syllable unstressed with a reduced schwa or r-colored vowel: /ˈdɛkər/ (US) or /ˈdekɔː/ (UK). Practice by saying the word in a quick, clipped second syllable: DEC-ər, not DEC-ORE.
US: /ˈdɛkər/ with rhotic /r/ and a lax final syllable; UK: /ˈdekɔː/ with non-rhoticity; AU: /ˈdekɔː/ or /ˈdɛkə/ with variable final vowel, often closer to /ɔː/ depending on speaker. The primary difference is vowel color and rhoticity: American uses a rhotically colored final vowel; British tends toward a long, open-mid back vowel; Australian often sits between US and UK, leaning toward a broad /ɔː/ in many speakers.
The challenge lies in the final syllable. In US English, the /ər/ or rhotacized vowel in the second syllable can be subtle and blends into the preceding consonant, while many learners over-enunciate the second vowel, saying /dɛkɔr/ or /ˈdɛkɒr/. Also, the first syllable has a short, tense vowel; mispronouncing it as /dɪk/ or /də/ shifts the word’s rhythm. Focus on a light, unstressed second syllable with a schwa or r-colored vowel rather than a full vowel.
A distinctive aspect is the subtle reduction in the second syllable. In many accents, the second syllable doesn’t carry full vowel duration; the vowel shifts toward a schwa or r-colored vowel, making the word sound like DEK-ər. Pay attention to the transition from the hard /k/ to the relaxed /ər/ sequence. This reduction is what makes Decor feel smooth and native-like when spoken in rapid phrases.
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Decor comes from the French word decor, which derives from the Latin decorum meaning ‘beauty, propriety, fitting arrangement,’ and is related to decoratio meaning ‘ornament, embellishment.’ The English sense of decor as “the style of furnishings and decoration of a room” emerged in the 18th–19th centuries, paralleling the increasing interest in interior design and houses as expressions of taste and social status. The term evolved from a broader concept of decorum in classical rhetoric and etiquette, shifting toward tangible aesthetic arrangements in domestic spaces. First known uses in English date to the early 18th century, but the specific sense related to interior decoration solidified in the Victorian era as home aesthetics became codified in manuals and tastemaker discourse.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Decor" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Decor" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Decor"
-ore sounds
-our sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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