tassel

1 of 2

noun

tas·​sel ˈta-səl 

 usually of corn  ˈtä-,

ˈtȯ-

1

: a dangling ornament made by laying parallel a bunch of cords or threads of even length and fastening them at one end

2

: something resembling a tassel

especially : the terminal male inflorescence of some plants and especially corn

Illustration of tassel

• tassel 1

tassel

2 of 2

verb

tasseled or tasselled; tasseling or tasselling ˈta-s(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

: to adorn with tassels

intransitive verb

: to put forth tassel inflorescences

Examples of tassel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Long seat, handlebars like a Harley, usually with tassels flapping off the end. —Air Mail, 10 May 2025

Rihanna turned heads with vintage diamond brooches, and comedian Ego Nwodim dazzled with a cascading diamond necklace paired with elegant tassel earrings. —Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025

Verb

The Colombian singer wore flowers for earmuffs, and spread her arms to reveal rainbow day-glo tassels streaming from her elbows. —Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2023

Corn was just starting to tassel across much of the Midwest, including fields in southern Indiana, a golden crown signaling the end of the season. —Journal Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, clasp, tassel, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *tassellus, alteration of Latin taxillus small die; akin to Latin talus anklebone, die

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for tassel

• castle
• facile
• gracile
• hassall
• hassle
• passel
• vassal
• fluorouracil
• thiouracil
• forecastle
• uracil
• propylthiouracil

Kids Definition

tassel

1 of 2 noun

tas·​sel ˈtas-əl 

 also especially of corn  ˈtäs-,

ˈtȯs-

1

: a hanging ornament made of a bunch of cords fastened at one end

2

: something resembling a tassel

especially : the male flower cluster on the top of some plants and especially corn

tassel

2 of 2 verb

tasseled or tasselled; tasseling or tasselling

-(ə-)liŋ

: to adorn with or put forth tassels