tinsel

noun

tin·sel | \ˈtin(t)-səl also ˈtin-zəl

Definition of tinsel

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : threads, strips, or sheets of metal, paper, or plastic used to produce a glittering and sparkling appearance in fabrics, yarns, or decorations

2 : something superficially attractive or glamorous but of little real worth disfigured by no gaudy tinsel of rhetoric or declamation— Thomas Jefferson

tinsel

adjective

Definition of tinsel (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : made of or covered with tinsel

2a : cheaply gaudy : tawdry

b : specious, superficial tinsel promises

tinsel

verb

tinseled or tinselled; tinseling or tinselling\ˈtin(t)-s(ə-)liŋ

also ˈtin-zə-liŋ \

Definition of tinsel (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to interweave, overlay, or adorn with or as if with tinsel

2 : to impart a specious brightness to

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about tinsel

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Examples of tinsel in a Sentence

Noun

I like to decorate the Christmas tree with tinsel. He's not attracted to the tinsel and glitter of Hollywood.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The entire villa was covered in gold tinsel with gold balloons, lights, silverware, plates, candles, et cetera. — Alexandra Macon, Vogue, "Inside a Greenery-Filled Hawaiian Wedding—Where the Bridesmaids Wore Power Suits," 13 July 2018 Before holographic hair was a thing, there was hair tinsel. — Devon Abelman, Allure, "K-Pop Star Heize Shows Off Bleach-Free Alternative to Holographic Highlights," 26 June 2018 In one photo of the celebration, Penelope is all smiles while wearing a pink hat with a gold tinsel trim. — Jen Juneau, PEOPLE.com, "Kim Kardashian West Wishes Niece Penelope a Happy Birthday with Hilarious Side-Eye Photo," 9 July 2018 About six years ago, hair tinsel rose to popularity. — Devon Abelman, Allure, "K-Pop Star Heize Shows Off Bleach-Free Alternative to Holographic Highlights," 26 June 2018 The light reflected off of the soloist’s silver dress -- and the tinsel in her hair. — Tamar Herman, Billboard, "5 Highlights From the First Night of KCON 2018 NY," 25 June 2018 There is the 3-foot-high, peacock-feather gear for battling flies, inlaid with diamonds and set with bands of gold tinsel, presented to the prince on his official entry into Jaipur. — J.s. Marcus, WSJ, "Souvenirs of a Prince’s Passage to India," 18 May 2018 Richard Avedon lensed her five Vogue covers, in all of which the model is heavily accessorized with big jewelry and, in one case, a silver tinsel wig. — Vogue, "Catching Up With Renée Toft Simonsen, “Face of the ’80s” Modeling Contest Winner and 5-Time Vogue Cover Girl," 13 Apr. 2018 Behind her, sprays of cheap tinsel are pinned to the wall; before her, a silver spoon sits on a table like an offering. — Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, "Deana Lawson’s Kingdom of Restored Glory," 8 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Connor’s new prints, on the other hand, made by the industrial dye-sublimation process on aluminum, are but tinseled imitations of her own extraordinary originals. — Charles Desmarais, San Francisco Chronicle, "Must-see Bay Area photography exhibitions in March," 8 Mar. 2018 And while my beard has tinseled, the intervening years haven’t exactly been kind to Rome either. — Jason Horowitz, New York Times, "My Rome: Still a Classic Beauty," 1 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tinsel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.