Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [tin-suh l]
- /ˈtɪn səl/
- /ˈtɪn.səl/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [tin-suh l]
- /ˈtɪn səl/
Definitions of tinsel word
- noun tinsel a glittering metallic substance, as copper or brass, in thin sheets, used in pieces, strips, threads, etc., to produce a sparkling effect cheaply. 1
- noun tinsel a metallic yarn, usually wrapped around a core yarn of silk, rayon, or cotton, for weaving brocade or lamé. 1
- noun tinsel anything showy or attractive with little or no real worth; showy pretense: The actress was tired of the fantasy and tinsel of her life. 1
- noun tinsel Obsolete. a fabric, formerly in use, of silk or wool interwoven with threads of gold, silver, or, later, copper. 1
- adjective tinsel consisting of or containing tinsel. 1
- adjective tinsel showy; gaudy; tawdry. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of tinsel
First appearance:
before 1495 One of the 26% oldest English words
1495-1505; by aphesis < Middle French estincelle (Old French estincele) a spark, flash < Vulgar Latin *stincilla, metathetic variant of Latin scintilla scintilla; first used attributively in phrases tinsel satin, tinsel cloth
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Tinsel
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
tinsel popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 81% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
tinsel usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for tinsel
noun tinsel
- applique — Applique is the craft of sewing fabric shapes onto larger pieces of cloth. You can also use applique to refer to things you make using this craft.
- arabesque — An arabesque is a position in ballet dancing. The dancer stands on one leg with their other leg lifted and stretched out backwards, and their arms stretched out in front of them.
- bangle — A bangle is a decorated metal or wooden ring that you can wear round your wrist or ankle.
- curlicue — Curlicues are decorative twists and curls, usually carved or made with a pen.
- decoration — The decoration of a room is its furniture, wallpaper, and ornaments.
verb tinsel
adj tinsel
- brummagem — something that is cheap and flashy, esp imitation jewellery
- catchpenny — designed to have instant appeal, esp in order to sell quickly and easily without regard for quality
- clinquant — glittering, esp with tinsel
- flasher — a brief, sudden burst of bright light: a flash of lightning.
- flashy — sparkling or brilliant, especially in a superficial way or for the moment: a flashy performance.
adjective tinsel
- exhibitionistic — Having a tendency toward exhibitionism.
- flaunted — to parade or display oneself conspicuously, defiantly, or boldly.
- gimcrack — a showy, useless trifle; gewgaw.
- glittering — Shining with a shimmering or sparkling light.
- junky — of the nature of junk; trashy.
Antonyms for tinsel
noun tinsel
- hiding — the pelt or skin of one of the larger animals (cow, horse, buffalo, etc.), raw or dressed.
Top questions with tinsel
- what is tinsel?
- what does tinsel mean?
- where to buy tinsel?
- how to decorate with tinsel?
- how to make a tinsel christmas tree?
- who invented tinsel?
- how to remove hair tinsel?
- how to tie in hair tinsel?
- where can you buy tinsel?
- how to put tinsel garland on a christmas tree?
- how to put in tinsel hair extensions?
- what is a tinsel christmas tree?
- how to make tinsel garland?
- how to put tinsel on a christmas tree?
- how to tie tinsel in hair?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with t
- Words starting with ti
- Words starting with tin
- Words starting with tins
- Words starting with tinse
- Words starting with tinsel