What does tasselled mean?
Tasselled is chiefly an adjective describing something adorned with a tassel or tassels: dangling tufts of fabric, cord, or thread used as decoration. It commonly appears in descriptions of ceremonial clothing, traditional uniforms, hats, curtains, upholstery, and other decorative textiles. The word can also be understood as the past tense of the verb “tassel,” meaning to decorate an object with such an ornament. This dual grammatical use gives it a slightly narrative quality, since a sentence may describe either the finished appearance or the act of making that appearance. “Tasselled” often suggests formal, traditional, or carefully finished decoration rather than casual trimming. It is especially associated with British spelling, although the word and its meaning are equally familiar in American English. Understanding both uses helps readers recognize that the final “-ed” may indicate either an adorned state or a completed action.
Adorned or decorated with one or more tassels.
"The black uniform had a tasselled hat and polished silver buttons."
The final “-ed” is pronounced as part of the ordinary adjectival ending and is not a separate syllable.
The past tense of “tassel,” meaning to decorate something with one or more tassels.
"She tasselled the ceremonial sash with burgundy silk."
This is a relatively uncommon verb form; it is more often encountered in descriptive or narrative contexts.
One word can be both an adjective and a past-tense verb: the curtains are tasselled, and the artisan tasselled them.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tasselled come from?
Tasselled derives from the English word “tassel,” which was borrowed from Middle French “tassel” during the medieval period. The adjective and past-tense forms were formed in English by adding “-ed” to the base word. British spelling traditionally uses the doubled “l,” whereas American English usually writes “tasseled.”
Related word forms
How tasselled is actually used
The doubled “l” is the usual British spelling, while American English generally writes “tasseled.” As an adjective, the final “-ed” sounds like a regular adjectival ending; as a verb form, it means that the decoration has been applied.
Easily confused with tasselled
A tassel is the decorative tuft itself; tasselled usually describes something already decorated with such an ornament.