tin·sel
ˈtin(t)-səl 
also ˈtin-zəl
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
Thomas Jefferson1
: made of or covered with tinsel
2
a
: cheaply gaudy : tawdry
b
: specious, superficial
tinsel promises
tinseled or tinselled; tinseling or tinselling
ˈtin(t)-s(ə-)liŋ
also ˈtin-zə-liŋ
1
: to interweave, overlay, or adorn with or as if with tinsel
2
: to impart a specious brightness to
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 WebSharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Dec. 2023
If an Asian hornet lands, volunteers attach tinsel streamers to its back to monitor its flight path and trace it back to its nest.
—Frankie Adkins, WIRED, 10 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tinsel 
Noun
Watch out, decorative baubles and shiny tinsel—the trendiest Christmas trees feature bows replacing traditional ornaments this year.
—Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Dec. 2023
If an Asian hornet lands, volunteers attach tinsel streamers to its back to monitor its flight path and trace it back to its nest.
—Frankie Adkins, WIRED, 10 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tinsel
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tinsel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tinsel
Cite this Entry
“Tinsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tinsel. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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