Tousle - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Tousle means to make someone’s hair messy by ruffling or disarranging it, often playfully or carelessly. It can also describe untidy or rumpled hair itself. Example: She tousled his hair affectionately.
Definition:
To make hair untidy by ruffling or disheveling it.
Synonyms:
dishevel, ruffle, muss, rumple
Part of Speech:
verb, noun
Antonyms:
smooth, straighten
Common Collocations:
tousled hair, tousle a child’s head, tousle the sheets
Derivatives:
tousled, tousling
Usage Tips:
Use "tousle" to describe gently messing up hair or fabric for a casual or playful effect.
Common Phrases:
tousle someone’s hair, tousle the covers, tousle a wig
Etymology:
From Middle English *touselen*, meaning to handle roughly or disarrange; related to Old English *tūslian* (to pull apart).
Examples:
- 1. The wind began to tousle her long hair as she walked along the beach.
- 2. He playfully reached out to tousle his little brother’s curls.
- 3. She woke up with her hair all tousled from sleep.
- 4. The puppy loved to jump and tousle the blanket with its paws.