What does tasseled mean?
Tasseled means decorated with or bearing tassels, which are small decorative pendants made from a cluster of threads, cords, or fabric. The word is commonly used for clothing, furnishings, and ceremonial objects: a tasseled hat, tasseled curtains, or a tasseled robe. It can also function as the past tense and past participle of the verb tassel, meaning to add tassels to something. Although the idea itself is straightforward, tasseled carries a slightly formal or descriptive quality and often suggests historical, theatrical, traditional, or richly ornamented design. The spelling with one final l is especially common in American English, while British English often uses tasselled. The word is related to tassel, the noun for the pendant decoration, and the same historical development is reflected in both forms.
Decorated with or bearing one or more tassels.
"The curtains in the old theater were tasseled and slightly faded."
The standard adjectival form is especially common before clothing and furnishings.
To decorate or furnish with tassels; the past tense and past participle of tassel.
"The costume designer tasseled the sleeves with burgundy silk."
This use is transitive and less common than the adjectival use.
A tassel is a small pendant of twisted threads, and tasseled describes the finished decoration once it has been attached.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tasseled come from?
Tasseled developed from the English word tassel, the noun for a small hanging decoration. English tassel was borrowed through Old French tassel from a Medieval Latin form related to tassellus, a diminutive associated with a tuft. The modern adjective and participial form developed alongside the noun, with American English commonly spelling it with one final l and British English often using two.
How tasseled is actually used
The adjectival use is the most common. It is especially frequent in descriptions of clothing, curtains, ceremonial garments, and other decorative objects; the verb use is often transitive, as in 'tasseled the curtains.'
Easily confused with tasseled
Tasselled is the usual British spelling, while tasseled is the common American spelling of the same word.