Modern tinsel was invented in Nuremberg, Germany, in 1610, and was originally made of shredded silver.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 word estincele, …

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.

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 metals but, …

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

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 adorn …

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!

Aug 26, 2021 · Most define tinsel as made from thin strips of actual silver which were reportedly used on Christmas trees in Germany. If true, it was a decoration reserved exclusively for the wealthy. Silver …

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 thin strips …

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

TINSEL definition: a glittering metallic substance, as copper or brass, in thin sheets, used in pieces, strips, threads, etc., to produce a sparkling effect cheaply. See examples of tinsel used in a sentence.