Definition

1. Noun:

   • A decorative material consisting of thin strips of shiny metal foil, often attached to a thread: Used to add sparkle to Christmas trees, costumes, or decorations.
   • Something that appears superficially attractive or glamorous but is of little real value: Refers to showy, cheap, or gaudy ornamentation, often used metaphorically.

2. Verb:

   • To adorn or decorate with tinsel: To interweave or cover with thin, glittering strips.
   • To give a superficially attractive or bright but cheap appearance to something: To impart a false or gaudy brilliance.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • We draped silver tinsel over the branches of the Christmas tree.
  • The politician's promises were just tinsel, hiding a lack of substance.

• Verb:

  • She tinseled the costume with strands of gold and red.
  • The report was tinseled with impressive graphics to distract from its weak conclusions.

Advanced Usage

• "All the tinsel of...": A phrase used to describe the excessive, showy, and often false trappings associated with something.
  • He grew tired of all the tinsel of fame and sought a quieter life.

Variants and Related Words

• Tinselly (adjective): Resembling or characteristic of tinsel; showy but cheap or insubstantial.
  • The decorations had a tinselly glamour that faded quickly.

Synonyms

• Noun: Glitter, spangle, frippery, gaudiness, finery.
• Verb: Bedeck, adorn, deck, embellish, garnish.

Related Phrases

• To be tinseled with/over: To be covered or decorated in a showy way.
  • The hall was tinseled over with lights and garlands for the party.

Noun

1. a thread with glittering metal foil attached
2. a showy decoration that is basically valueless
   • all the tinsel of self-promotion

Verb

1. interweave with tinsel
   • tinseled velvet
2. adorn with tinsel
   • snow flakes tinseled the trees
3. impart a cheap brightness to
   • his tinseled image of Hollywood