tinsel
(noun) a thread with glittering metal foil attached
tinsel
(noun) a showy decoration that is basically valueless; “all the tinsel of self-promotion”
tinsel
(verb) interweave with tinsel; “tinseled velvet”
tinsel
(verb) adorn with tinsel; “snow flakes tinseled the trees”
tinsel
(verb) impart a cheap brightness to; “his tinseled image of Hollywood”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
tinsel (usually uncountable, plural tinsels)
A shining material used for ornamental purposes; especially, a very thin, gauzelike cloth with much gold or silver woven into it; also, very thin metal overlaid with a thin coating of gold or silver, brass foil, or the like.
Very thin strips of a glittering, metallic material used as a decoration, and traditionally draped at Christmas time over streamers, paper chains and the branches of Christmas trees.
Anything shining and gaudy; something superficially shining and showy, or having a false luster, and more pretty than valuable.
• William Cowper
tinsel (comparative more tinsel, superlative most tinsel)
Glittering, later especially superficially so; gaudy, showy.
tinsel (third-person singular simple present tinsels, present participle (US) tinseling or (UK) tinselling, simple past and past participle (US) tinseled or (UK) tinselled)
(transitive) To adorn with tinsel; to deck out with cheap but showy ornaments; to make gaudy.
• Alexander Pope
(figuratively, transitive) To give a false sparkle to (something).
• ELINTs, SILENT, Teslin, enlist, inlets, leints, listen, silent
Source: Wiktionary
Tin"sel, n. Etym: [F. Ă©tincelle a spark, OF. estincelle, L. scintilla. Cf. Scintillate, Stencil.]
1. A shining material used for ornamental purposes; especially, a very thin, gauzelike cloth with much gold or silver woven into it; also, very thin metal overlaid with a thin coating of gold or silver, brass foil, or the like. Who can discern the tinsel from the gold Dryden.
2. Something shining and gaudy; something superficially shining and showy, or having a false luster, and more gay than valuable. O happy peasant! O unhappy bard! His the mere tinsel, hers the rich reward. Cowper.
Tin"sel, a.
Definition: Showy to excess; gaudy; specious; superficial. "Tinsel trappings." Milton.
Tin"sel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tinseled or Tinselled; p. pr. & vb. n. Tinseling or Tinselling.]
Definition: To adorn with tinsel; to deck out with cheap but showy ornaments; to make gaudy. She, tinseled o'er in robes of varying hues. Pope.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
28 March 2025
(noun) a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
International Coffee Day (September 29) is an occasion to promote and celebrate coffee as a beverage, with events occurring in places across the world. A day to promote fair trade coffee and raise awareness for the coffee growers’ plight. Other countries celebrate this event on October 1.
