tinsel

1 of 3

noun

tin·​sel ˈtin(t)-səl 

 also  ˈtin-zəl

1

: threads, strips, or sheets of metal, paper, or plastic used to produce a glittering and sparkling appearance in fabrics, yarns, or decorations

2

: something superficially attractive or glamorous but of little real worth

disfigured by no gaudy tinsel of rhetoric or declamation

—Thomas Jefferson

tinsel

2 of 3

adjective

1

: made of or covered with tinsel

2

a

: cheaply gaudy : tawdry

b

: specious, superficial

tinsel promises

tinsel

3 of 3

verb

tinseled or tinselled; tinseling or tinselling ˈtin(t)-s(ə-)liŋ 

 also  ˈtin-zə-liŋ

transitive verb

1

: to interweave, overlay, or adorn with or as if with tinsel

2

: to impart a specious brightness to

Synonyms

Noun

• candyfloss [British]
• cotton candy
• eye candy

Examples of tinsel in a Sentence

Noun

I like to decorate the Christmas tree with tinsel.

He's not attracted to the tinsel and glitter of Hollywood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Decadent bows, unique ornaments, vibrant colors, and tinsel garlands are guaranteed to create a statement on your Christmas tree. —Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2024

With her red hair tinsel glistening and her new fur coat covering her work wear — a gold g-string — Madison is exhilarating to watch on screen. —Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 23 Oct. 2024

Adjective

In another image where wearing a tinsel Christmas outfit with a star (above). —EW.com, 1 Nov. 2023

The historic corridor running up Manhattan’s skirt is decked with balsam fir branches, weighted with tinsel, golden baubles, and pine cones. —Abe Beame, Essence, 20 Dec. 2023

Verb

Irvington's Salon Citrine is offering hair tinseling for $10 per strand. —Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Oct. 2024

Connor’s new prints, on the other hand, made by the industrial dye-sublimation process on aluminum, are but tinseled imitations of her own extraordinary originals. —Charles Desmarais, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Mar. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tyneseyle cloth interwoven with metallic thread, probably from Anglo-French tencelé, past participle of tenceler, estenceler to sparkle — more at stencil

First Known Use

Noun

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tinsel

noun

tin·​sel

ˈtin(t)-səl

1

: a thread, strip, or sheet of metal, paper, or plastic used to produce a glittering effect

2

: something that seems attractive but is of little worth