Tinsel Definition

tĭnsəl
tinseled, tinseling, tinselled, tinselling, tinsels
noun
A cloth of silk, wool, etc. interwoven with glittering threads of gold, silver, or other metal.
Webster's New World
Thin sheets, strips, or threads of tin, metal foil, etc., used for inexpensive decoration.
Webster's New World
Something sparkling or showy but basically valueless.
The tinsel of parties and promotional events.
American Heritage
Something that glitters like precious metal but has little worth; empty show; sham splendor.
Webster's New World
adjective
Made of or decorated with tinsel.
Webster's New World
Having sham splendor; showy; gaudy; tawdry.
Webster's New World
verb
To make glitter with or as with tinsel.
Webster's New World
To give a false appearance of splendor to.
Webster's New World

Origin of Tinsel

  • French étincelle (“spark"), from Old French estincelle, from Latin scintilla; compare scintillate, stencil.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English tineseile from Old French estincelle spangle, spark stencil

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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