tissue
TIHS-yoo
Tissue (noun) means a soft, absorbent piece of paper used for blowing your nose or wiping up small messes. Example: “Could you pass me a tissue? I've got a runny nose.”
noun
1
A soft, absorbent piece of paper used for blowing your nose or wiping up small messes.
"Could you pass me a tissue? I've got a runny nose."
"She grabbed a tissue to wipe her nose."
"He kept a box of tissues by his desk during flu season."
2
A group of similar cells in a plant or animal that work together to perform a particular function.
"Bone is a hard tissue, while fat is much softer."
"Plants have special tissue that carries water up from the roots."
"The biopsy sample contained healthy muscle tissue."
3
A complex, connected structure of interwoven parts, used figuratively.
"Her story was a tissue of half-truths that fell apart under questioning."
"The novel weaves a complex tissue of friendships, rivalries and old family secrets."
"The alibi turned out to be a tissue of lies."
How to use tissue
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither soft paper for wiping, or a biological group of cells, or (figuratively) a web of interconnected things, often lies.
Common pairings
tissue paper
scar tissue
a tissue of lies
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Word forms
- Plural
- tissues
- Third person singular
- tissues
- Past tense
- tissued
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Could you pass me a _____? I've got a runny nose.
Etymology
From Old French tissu, "woven," from a Latin verb meaning "to weave."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for tissue
See all rhymes for tissue →Frequently asked questions
What does “tissue” mean?
The word “tissue” means a soft, absorbent piece of paper used for blowing your nose or wiping up small messes. In plain terms, either soft paper for wiping, or a biological group of cells, or (figuratively) a web of interconnected things, often lies.
How do you pronounce “tissue”?
“Tissue” is pronounced TIHS-yoo (/ˈtɪʃ.(j)u/ in IPA).
How do you use “tissue” in a sentence?
Here is “tissue” used in a sentence: “She grabbed a tissue to wipe her nose.”
What part of speech is “tissue”?
“Tissue” is a noun.
Where does the word “tissue” come from?
The word “tissue” comes from Latin. From Old French tissu, "woven," from a Latin verb meaning "to weave.".
Is “tissue” a common word?
“Tissue” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “tissue” have?
“Tissue” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, absorbent piece of paper used for blowing your nose or wiping up small messes.
What is the difference between a 'tissue' and toilet paper?
A tissue is a soft, absorbent piece of paper used for blowing your nose or wiping up small messes, and is usually thicker and stronger. Toilet paper is thinner and designed to break down in water, so the two are not interchangeable.
What is the difference between a tissue and a napkin?
A tissue is a soft paper for blowing your nose or wiping small messes, while a napkin is used at the table to wipe the hands or mouth while eating. Napkins are often larger and can be made of cloth as well as paper.
Is a 'tissue' the same as a 'Kleenex'?
Kleenex is a well-known brand name that many people use to mean any paper tissue for blowing the nose. Strictly, 'tissue' is the general term, and Kleenex is one particular make of it.
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