Decoupled services refer to a software architecture design principle that minimizes dependencies between different components or modules within a system. This approach enhances flexibility, maintainability, and scalability by allowing individual services to operate independently. In a decoupled architecture, changes to one service do not directly impact others, facilitating easier updates and deployments. This concept is particularly relevant in microservices and cloud-native applications, where multiple services interact and communicate. By employing techniques such as interfaces, dependency injection, and service locators, developers can create robust systems that are easier to test and manage over time.