TINSEL (tinselled, tinselling)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: tinselled    , tinselling   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does tinsel mean? 

• TINSEL (noun)
  The noun TINSEL has 2 senses:

1. a showy decoration that is basically valueless

2. a thread with glittering metal foil attached

  Familiarity information: TINSEL used as a noun is rare.

• TINSEL (verb)
  The verb TINSEL has 3 senses:

1. impart a cheap brightness to

2. adorn with tinsel

3. interweave with tinsel

  Familiarity information: TINSEL used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TINSEL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A showy decoration that is basically valueless

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Context example:

all the tinsel of self-promotion

Hypernyms ("tinsel" is a kind of...):

decoration; ornament; ornamentation (something used to beautify)

Derivation:

tinsel (adorn with tinsel)

tinsel (impart a cheap brightness to)

tinselly (glittering with gold or silver)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A thread with glittering metal foil attached

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("tinsel" is a kind of...):

thread; yarn (a fine cord of twisted fibers (of cotton or silk or wool or nylon etc.) used in sewing and weaving)

Derivation:

tinsel (interweave with tinsel)

tinsel (adorn with tinsel)

tinselly (glittering with gold or silver)

• TINSEL (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Impart a cheap brightness to

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Context example:

his tinseled image of Hollywood

Hypernyms (to "tinsel" is one way to...):

add; bestow; bring; contribute; impart; lend (bestow a quality on)

Sentence frames:

Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s something to somebody

Derivation:

tinsel (a showy decoration that is basically valueless)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Adorn with tinsel

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context example:

snow flakes tinseled the trees

Hypernyms (to "tinsel" is one way to...):

adorn; beautify; decorate; embellish; grace; ornament (make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

tinsel (a thread with glittering metal foil attached)

tinsel (a showy decoration that is basically valueless)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Interweave with tinsel

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context example:

tinseled velvet

Hypernyms (to "tinsel" is one way to...):

interweave; weave (interlace by or as if by weaving)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

tinsel (a thread with glittering metal foil attached)