variants
or less commonly nicknack
plural knickknacks also nicknacks
: a small trivial article usually intended for ornament
a collection of colorful knickknacks
Known in the computer industry as tchotchkes, which is Yiddish for cheap trinkets, the knickknacks distributed in the past year have included "Love Me Tender" toilet-roll dispensers, wax eyeballs, chocolate computers and Nerf-ball launchers.—
Jim Carlton
Jim CarltonMelissa Etheridge's spacious two-story home outside Los Angeles is filled with knickknacks from her life: Aside from awards and photos, there is a small collection of vintage neon clocks … and a Thelma & Louise poster signed by the cast (including a then-unknown Brad Pitt).—Lynette Rice
Lynette RiceSynonyms
Examples of knickknack in a Sentence
The shelves were filled with knickknacks.
a variety of pretty porcelain knickknacks adorned the mantel
Recent Examples on the Web
Some 30,000 people viewed the pre-sale displays of furniture, jewelry and White House knickknacks and snapped up more than 100,000 catalogs, at $90 in hardcover and $45 in softcover.
Prices, driven by ecstasies of nostalgia, went through the roof.
—Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 21 May 2024
For 75 years, the Bench Commission in Boise has sold new and used furniture, antiques and knickknacks.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 9 May 2024
This doesn't mean a picture of your dog is going to tank your productivity, just be selective with books, decor and knickknacks that could slow you down.
—Kelsey Chapman, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2024
In addition, there will be retail vendors selling clothing, jewelry, collectibles and knickknacks.
—Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 23 Apr. 2024
If a book doesn’t catch your eye, a knickknack probably will.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2024
Try scattering your fairy-sized knickknacks on shelves and mantels, and play around with small centerpieces for your coffee table.
—Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Dec. 2023
Among the intriguing knickknacks on the shelves were a covered wagon replica and a decorative cluster of Lucite grapes that looked like large marbles.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 17 Mar. 2024
Every knickknack and furnishing is era-appropriate.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 11 Jan. 2024
Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 21 May 2024
For 75 years, the Bench Commission in Boise has sold new and used furniture, antiques and knickknacks.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 9 May 2024
This doesn't mean a picture of your dog is going to tank your productivity, just be selective with books, decor and knickknacks that could slow you down.
—Kelsey Chapman, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2024
In addition, there will be retail vendors selling clothing, jewelry, collectibles and knickknacks.
—Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 23 Apr. 2024
If a book doesn’t catch your eye, a knickknack probably will.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2024
Try scattering your fairy-sized knickknacks on shelves and mantels, and play around with small centerpieces for your coffee table.
—Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Dec. 2023
Among the intriguing knickknacks on the shelves were a covered wagon replica and a decorative cluster of Lucite grapes that looked like large marbles.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 17 Mar. 2024
Every knickknack and furnishing is era-appropriate.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 11 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'knickknack.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Knickknack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knickknack. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
knickknack
noun
knick·knack
ˈnik-ˌnak 
: a small ornamental object
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