Modern tinsel was invented in Nuremberg, Germany, in 1610, and was originally made of shredded silver. According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary, the word is from the Old French …

The meaning of TINSEL is threads, strips, or sheets of metal, paper, or plastic used to produce a glittering and sparkling appearance in fabrics, yarns, or decorations.

Attention-seeking, distracting and showing off (Definition of tinsel from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

Nov 26, 2024 · While the original stuff was worth a hefty sum, you can pick up a bag of tinsel for $3 nowadays. That’s because the modern-day adaptation is no longer made of precious …

Dec 11, 2025 · 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 …

Definition of tinsel noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Dec 16, 2009 · We decorate our house and trees with tinsel every Christmas, but why? And where did tinsel originate from? Check out the facts on tinsel!

Dec 10, 2025 · Once upon a time, no Christmas tree was complete without a healthy coating of tinsel hanging from the boughs. Those shimmering threads are less common now, though far …

Jul 15, 2025 · Tinsel is a type of decorative material used to create a sparkling and festive effect, often associated with Christmas trees and holiday decorations. Traditionally, it was made from …

Tinsel consists of small strips of shiny paper attached to long pieces of thread. People use tinsel as a decoration at Christmas.