tinseled
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: 1. Decorated with or as if with thin, shiny strips of metal: Describing something adorned with tinsel, which are thin, glittering strips of metal or plastic, often used for decoration, especially during festive seasons. 2. Glittering with gold or silver; having a showy but superficial appearance: Describing something that is superficially bright, attractive, or glamorous, often in a cheap or gaudy way.
Usage and Examples
Literal Decoration:
- The tinseled Christmas tree sparkled under the lights. (The Christmas tree decorated with tinsel sparkled under the lights.)
- She wore a tinseled dress to the holiday party. (She wore a dress adorned with shiny strips to the holiday party.)
Figurative (Showy but Superficial):
- The film's tinseled glamour couldn't hide its weak plot. (The film's showy, superficial glamour couldn't hide its weak plot.)
- He was disillusioned by the tinseled promises of fame. (He was disillusioned by the showy but empty promises of fame.)
Advanced Usage
- "Tinseled" as a Past Participle Verb: While primarily an adjective, it can function as the past tense or past participle of the verb 'tinsel', meaning to decorate with tinsel.
- They had tinseled the entire hall for the celebration. (They had decorated the entire hall with tinsel for the celebration.)
Variants and Related Words
- Tinsel (noun): The material itself; thin, shiny strips used for decoration.
- The box was full of silver and gold tinsel.
- Tinsel (verb): To adorn or decorate with tinsel.
- They plan to tinsel the wreath.
- Tinselly (adjective): Resembling or characteristic of tinsel; showy and cheap.
- The costume had a tinselly quality.
Synonyms
- Bedecked: Decorated in a showy way.
- Festooned: Adorned with chains, garlands, or other decorations.
- Gaudy: Extravagantly bright or showy, typically so as to be tasteless.
- Glitzy: Extravagantly showy, often in a superficial way.
- Meretricious: Apparently attractive but having no real value; flashy.
Antonyms
- Plain: Not decorated or elaborate; simple.
- Austere: Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance; having no comforts or luxuries.
- Subdued: (Of color or lighting) soft and restrained.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- All that glitters is not gold: A proverb meaning that not everything that looks valuable or true turns out to be so, closely related to the figurative sense of 'tinseled'.
- The luxurious lifestyle was tinseled; remember, all that glitters is not gold.
Adjective
- glittering with gold or silver