tousle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “tousle” mean?
To make something (especially hair) untidy or disordered by ruffling or disarranging it.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make something (especially hair) untidy or disordered by ruffling or disarranging it.
Can describe treating something in a rough, playful, or affectionate manner, often resulting in a pleasantly messy appearance. Also used metaphorically for disordering or rumpling things other than hair.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or pronunciation differences. The word is used and understood identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally connotes playful or affectionate disorder in both BrE and AmE.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in both varieties, slightly more common in descriptive literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “tousle” in a Sentence
[Verb] + [Direct Object: hair/head/person][Verb] + [Adverbial: playfully/affectionately]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tousle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The wind began to tousle her carefully styled hair.
- He would gently tousle his son's head as a goodnight gesture.
American English
- The puppy jumped up to playfully tousle the child's hair.
- Don't tousle the papers on my desk, I have them organized.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- He sported a charmingly tousled bed-head look.
- The tousled sheets suggested a restless night.
American English
- Her tousled beach waves were perfectly imperfect.
- The model had that desirable tousled-hair style.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Unlikely to be used.
Academic
Very rare, except in literary analysis or descriptive passages.
Everyday
Informal, most commonly in the form 'tousled' to describe hair style.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tousle”
- Using 'tousle' to mean 'to fight' (confusion with 'tussle').
- Using the base verb 'tousle' in everyday conversation where the adjective 'tousled' is more natural.
- Mispronouncing as /ˈtuː.zəl/ (like 'tousle' rhyming with 'dousle').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not very common in everyday spoken English. Its adjectival form 'tousled' (e.g., 'tousled hair') is heard more frequently, especially in fashion or descriptive contexts.
'Tousle' means to make something, usually hair, messy. 'Tussle' is a noun or verb meaning a rough struggle, fight, or physical contest. They are often confused due to their similar sound.
Primarily, yes, but it can be extended metaphorically. You might see 'tousled sheets', 'tousled bed' or even 'tousled papers', though these are less common and slightly literary.
The act itself is 'a tousling'. However, this noun is very rarely used. The state of being tousled is usually described using the adjective.
To make something (especially hair) untidy or disordered by ruffling or disarranging it.
Tousle is usually informal/literary in register.
Tousle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtaʊ.zəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtaʊ.zəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “tousle someone's hair”
- “a tousled look”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a playful 'tousle' as a 'tangle' with a 'hustle'—a quick, rough mixing-up.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISORDER IS PHYSICAL AGITATION (ruffling, rumpling)
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST synonym for 'tousle' in the sentence: 'The breeze began to tousle the long grass'?