: a dangling ornament made by laying parallel a bunch of cords or threads of even length and fastening them at one end
2
: something resembling a tassel
especially: the terminal male inflorescence of some plants and especially corn
Illustration of tassel
tassel 1
tassel
2 of 2
verb
tasseled or tasselled; tasseling or tasselling ˈta-s(ə-)liŋ
transitive verb
: to adorn with tassels
intransitive verb
: to put forth tassel inflorescences
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Penelope Chilvers's tassel boots have been a go-to for the Duchess of Cambridge over the last decade. Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 22 Aug. 2022 Get ready to throw your grad cap in the air and toss your tassel to the side — graduation season is in full swing, marking one of the most monumental milestones in a person’s life. Abby Dupes, Seventeen, 7 June 2022 Complete with a leather tassel, these bookmarks are perfect for the bibliophile in your life. Christina Montoya Fiedler, Good Housekeeping, 6 July 2022 Amaranthus produces gorgeous tassel-like flowers each fall that look great in arrangements — both fresh-cut and dried. Katarina Avendano, Good Housekeeping, 8 July 2022 In the accompanying photo, Ty was dressed in his red graduation cap and gown, the white tassel falling at an angle.Washington Post, 30 June 2022 It can be worn three different ways, and the adjustable strap and tassel can be completely removed if desired. Rebecca Carhart, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2022 Hurd opted for a sandy colored beige suit with brown dress shirt and tassel loafers. Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE.com, 3 Apr. 2022 Meza then moved the tassel from one side of Hannah’s mortarboard to the other.Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2022
Verb
From work to weekend, the soft, flowy dress is all about the details, like blouson sleeves and tassel ties at the split neck. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 28 Jan. 2022 In a typical year, Illinois farmer Rodney Weinzierl’s corn would be more than 9 feet tall by now and a week away from tasseling. Lynn Brezosky, ExpressNews.com, 21 June 2019 Ganni’s beaded polka-dot bag would pair just as well with a slinky cocktail dress or vintage jeans, ditto Hunting Season’s tasseled cross-body. Madeline Fass, Vogue, 15 Nov. 2018 The cape includes white ribbons on both shoulders, a large gold tasseled rope connecting both sides, and—the best part—a black velvet hat with an oversized ostrich feather, according to People. Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, 6 July 2018 Other standouts include La Double J’s architectural and frond-laden teacups and saucers, and Gucci’s tasseled throw pillow embroidered with a panther’s piercing gaze. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 2 July 2018 Perhaps with some punchy pool floats (that won’t make your Instagram followers roll their eyes), or a Jenni Kayne tasseled hammock? Elise Taylor, Vogue, 15 June 2018 Corn needs about 1 inch of water a week, particularly when the stalks begin to tassel. The Editors Of Organic Life, Good Housekeeping, 5 Apr. 2016 Melosh, on the other hand, paid for the graduationcap, gown and tassel herself. Rachel Leingang, azcentral, 28 Mar. 2018 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, clasp, tassel, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *tassellus, alteration of Latin taxillus small die; akin to Latin talus anklebone, die
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Kids Definition
tassel
noun
tas·sel ˈta-səl
1
: a hanging ornament (as on clothing) made of a bunch of cords of the same length fastened at one end
2
: the male flower cluster on the top of some plants and especially corn