tassel

1 of 3

noun (1)

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 3

verb

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

transitive verb

: to adorn with tassels

intransitive verb

: to put forth tassel inflorescences

torsel

3 of 3

noun (2)

tor·​sel

ˈtȯrsəl

variants or tassel

ˈtasəl 

plural -s

: a piece of stone, iron, or wood to support the end of a beam or joist and distribute the weight

Examples of tassel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

With a fringe tassel, soft shape, and medium size, this bag is right on trend for fall. — Anna Traver, InStyle, 20 Aug. 2026

The $1,180 style is classified as a loafer, though the design has none of the keeper straps, tassels or moccasin stitching that have been popular with the silhouette’s comeback. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Dreamlike and cosy, almost everything in sight is a warm, golden yellow, from the curtain tassels to the imperial yellow Ottoman silk canopy above the enormous (and very comfortable) king-size bed. — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 29 July 2026

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

torsel alteration of tassel, from French tassel, tasseau, from Old French tassel clasp

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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