tinsel

[ tin-suhl ]

noun

1. a glittering metallic substance, as copper or brass, in thin sheets, used in pieces, strips, threads, etc., to produce a sparkling effect cheaply.
2. a metallic yarn, usually wrapped around a core yarn of silk, rayon, or cotton, for weaving brocade or lamé.
3. anything showy or attractive with little or no real worth; showy pretense:

   The actress was tired of the fantasy and tinsel of her life.

4. Obsolete. a fabric, formerly in use, of silk or wool interwoven with threads of gold, silver, or, later, copper.

adjective

1. consisting of or containing tinsel.
2. showy; gaudy; tawdry.

verb (used with object)

, tin·seled, tin·sel·ing or (especially British) tin·selled, tin·sel·ling.

1. to adorn with tinsel.
2. to adorn with anything glittering.
3. to make showy or gaudy.

tinsel

/ ˈtɪnsəl /

noun

1. a decoration consisting of a piece of string with thin strips of metal foil attached along its length
2. a yarn or fabric interwoven with strands of glittering thread
3. anything cheap, showy, and gaudy

verb

1. to decorate with or as if with tinsel

   snow tinsels the trees

2. to give a gaudy appearance to

adjective

1. made of or decorated with tinsel
2. showily but cheaply attractive; gaudy

Derived Forms

• ˈtinselly, adjective
• ˈtinsel-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• tinsel·like adjective
• over·tinsel verb (used with object) overtinseled overtinseling or (especially British) overtinselled overtinselling
• un·tinseled adjective
• un·tinselled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tinsel¹

First recorded in 1495–1505; by shortening of Middle French estincelle ( Old French estincele ) “a spark, flash,” from Vulgar Latin stincilla, unrecorded variant of Latin scintilla; first used attributively in phrases tinsel satin, tinsel cloth; scintilla

Word History and Origins

Origin of tinsel¹

C16: from Old French estincele a spark, from Latin scintilla; compare stencil

Example Sentences

The dazzling shine of red tinsel woven into Ani’s hair lures you into the film’s whirlwind from the opening sequence.

From Salon

They tag captured insects with tinsel so they are more visible and can be tracked back to their nests or timed to see how long it takes them to return.

From BBC

Other highlights included a DJ, glitter tattoos, hair tinsel and tarot readings.

From Los Angeles Times

Thomas Jefferson wrote of his fear that the U.S. could devolve into a “tinsel democracy” dominated by privileged people unworthy to hold power.

From Salon

I don’t mean that it invites too much tinsel.

From New York Times

Related Words

• color
• design
• finery
• ornament
• plaque
• ribbon
• trinket
• wreath