Tousle

To tousle is to rumple or disarrange something, especially someone's hair, often affectionately or playfully. It implies a gentle, sometimes messy, handling. The act typically involves a light, often repeated motion, leading to a state of mild disorder. While it can describe disarranging clothes or other objects, the word is most commonly associated with the act of playfully messing up hair. It suggests a casual, informal context, conveying a sense of intimacy, familiarity, or lightheartedness. The result is usually not a complete destruction, but a softening of neatness. The action implies a degree of positive intention, making the mess created a sign of a casual intimacy.

Tousle meaning with examples

• He returned from the beach, his hair completely tousled by the strong sea breeze, revealing a carefree afternoon. He smiled at her while his hand reached out and tousled my own hair, offering a familiar gesture of fondness.
• She adored how her father would tousle her hair as a child. She loved the way she felt the affection behind the act. Now she would tousle the hair of her own daughter every morning as a daily routine before school.
• After a particularly successful performance, the director would tousle the lead actor's hair, a ritual that signaled both approval and a shared camaraderie among them, creating a special bond.
• The puppy playfully attempted to tousle the little girl's braids, showing its affection. The little girl found this act of affection endearing, giggling as the dog nibbled her hair, starting a lifelong friendship.
• Despite the seriousness of the discussion, she couldn't help but tousle her friend's hair. She reached over and messed with her hair in a manner that lightened the heavy mood of the discussion and calmed things down.