tinsel
IPA: tˈɪnsʌɫ
noun
- (obsolete) A shining fabric used for ornamental purposes.
- A silk or wool fabric with gold or silver thread woven into it; brocade.
- A very thin, gauzelike cloth with gold or silver (or, later, copper) thread woven into it, or overlaid with thin metal plates.
- (by extension)
- A thin, shiny foil for ornamental purposes which is of a material made of metal or resembling metal; especially, narrow glittering strips of such a material, often strung on to thread, and traditionally at Christmastime draped on Christmas trees, hung from balustrades or ceilings, or wrapped around objects as a decoration.
- (figuratively) Anything shining and gaudy; especially something superficially shiny and showy, or having a false lustre, and more pretty than valuable.
- (obsolete) Damage, detriment; loss.
- (law, archaic) Deprivation; forfeiture.
verb
- To adorn (something) with tinsel.
- (also figuratively) To ornament (fabric, etc.) by weaving into it thread of gold, silver, or some other shiny material.
- (by extension) To deck out (a place or something) with showy but cheap ornaments; to make gaudy.
- (figuratively) To give (something) a false or superficial attractiveness.
- (transitive, Scotland, obsolete, rare) To cause (someone) damage or loss; also, to impose a fine on (someone); to mulct.
adjective
- (obsolete) Of fabric: ornamented by being woven with gold or silver thread, or overlaid with thin metal plates; brocaded.
- (by extension)
- (obsolete) Glittering.
- (figuratively) Apparently beautiful and costly but having little value; superficially attractive; gaudy, showy, tawdry.
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Examples of "tinsel" in Sentences
No Sentences Found for tinsel
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