clinquant

[ kling-kuhnt ]

adjective

1. glittering, especially with tinsel; decked with garish finery.

noun

1. imitation gold leaf; tinsel; false glitter.

clinquant

/ ˈklɪŋkənt /

adjective

1. glittering, esp with tinsel

noun

1. tinsel or imitation gold leaf

Word History and Origins

Origin of clinquant¹

1585–95; < Middle French: clinking, present participle of clinquer (< Dutch klinken to sound); -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of clinquant¹

C16: from French, from clinquer to clink, from Dutch klinken, of imitative origin

Example Sentences

I liked Jack, but not clinquant in crimson and gold, with spurs and sword clanking on the hard, frost-bitten road.

From Project Gutenberg

Pardon, Monsieur, in every age a love-story keeps its interest; but who cares nowadays for le clinquant du Tasse?

From Project Gutenberg

Clinquant, klingk′ant, adj. shining like tinsel: glittering.

From Project Gutenberg

The clinquant corslet of the Swiss girl just survives at bals costums.

From Project Gutenberg

My eyes rejoice in the shine of it; its clinquant sound is music in my ears.

From Project Gutenberg