How to pronounce tinsel
Say it like TIN-sul. Tinsel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TIN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tinsel. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TIN
- sul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tinsel pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TINSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- sulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of tinsel
American and British speakers say tinsel in essentially the same way: /ˈtɪnsəl/ in the US and /ˈtɪnsəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: TIN-sul.
What does tinsel mean?
- A thin, shiny foil for ornamental purposes which is of a material made of metal or resembling metal; especially, narrow glittering strips of such a material, often strung on to thread, and traditionally at Christmastime draped on Christmas trees, hung from balustrades or ceilings, or wrapped around
- Anything shining and gaudy; especially something superficially shiny and showy, or having a false luster, and more pretty than valuable.
- To ornament (fabric, etc.) by weaving into it thread of gold, silver, or some other shiny material.
- To deck out (a place or something) with showy but cheap ornaments; to make gaudy.
- To give (something) a false or superficial attractiveness.
- Apparently beautiful and costly but having little value; superficially attractive; gaudy, showy, tawdry.
Where does tinsel come from?
The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun; while the verb is derived from the noun.
Questions about saying tinsel
How do you pronounce tinsel?
Say TIN-sul. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɪnsəl/. In British English it is /ˈtɪnsəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tinsel?
Tinsel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TIN). Broken into parts: TIN · sul.
Do Americans and Brits say tinsel the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtɪnsəl/ and the British form is /ˈtɪnsəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.