tinsellyadj.
/ˈtɪnsəli/ Of the nature of, characterized by, or abounding in tinsel; hence, cheaply splendid or sparkling, gaudy without real worth, ‘pinchbeck’.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > bad taste > flashiness or gaudiness > [adjective] > tawdry
tinsel1595
gingerbread1631
tawdry1676
frippish1787
tinselly1811
specious1816
gingerbready1845
foofaraw1848
twopence coloured1859
tarty1918
tartish1929
tatty1940
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > [adjective] > having or given specious appearance
paintedc1390
daubedc1400
cloakeda1500
fucate1531
fucated1535
coloured1537
flim-flam1577
tinsel1595
varnisheda1616
punkish1616
white-limeda1631
pargeted1645
tinselled1651
vizarded1663
lacquered1687
glossy1698
catchpenny1705
catch-shilling1808
tinselly1811
whitewashed1859
shoddy1882
veneered1884
hollowed-out1890
face-lifted1941
suede shoe1952
cosmetic1955
1811 M. R. Mitford in A. G. L'Estrange Life M. R. Mitford (1870) I. v. 148 Sometimes pedantic, and sometimes tinselly, none of her works were ever simple..or natural.
1836 C. P. Traill Backwoods of Canada 289 These Indians appear less addicted to gay and tinselly ornaments.
1885 Athenæum 15 Aug. 205 None of that false ornamentation, that tinselly glitter.
Derivatives
ˈtinselly adv. [-ly suffix2] showily and cheaply.
ΚΠ
1864 in Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. ; whence in later Dicts.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2018).
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adj.1811