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Definition of tousle

tousle

/ˈtaʊ.zəl/
tou · sle
Plural:tousles
•
Adjective:tousled
•
Past Simple:tousled
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Past Participle:tousled
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Present Participle:tousling
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tousle Lexical Profile

tousle Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To make someone's hair or clothing untidy, messy, or disheveled by rubbing or ruffling it.

Example

"The father affectionately reached out to tousle his son's hair after the baseball game."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for tousle
Antonyms
View all antonyms for tousle

• noun

1

A tangled, messy, or disheveled mass or state, especially of hair.

Example

"He woke up with a wild tousle of brown curls sticking out in every direction."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for tousle

Word Nuance & Usage

Often confused with 'tussle', which refers to a physical scuffle or struggle, whereas 'tousle' almost exclusively describes playfully or roughly mussing hair or fabric.

• Rhymes for tousle

• Nearby Words

tournament
tourney
tourniquet
tousle
tout
tow
towable

Word Origin & Etymology

Originating in the late 15th century, the word is a frequentative form of the Middle English verb 'tousen' (meaning to pull or tear roughly), which shares Germanic roots with the modern English word 'tease'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tousle. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tousle
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