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
Although designed for cupcakes or other knickknacks, some reviewers use it to display décor (and use it all year long!), finding the golden crow pull ring design really handy for easy carrying.
—Cristian Esteban, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2024
Social media is a growing priority, and there’s more brands, accessories and knickknacks by labels like Beams Japan to peruse.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 8 Aug. 2024
Housed inside an 18th-century stately palazzo traditionally closed to the public, the space has been decked in Onitsuka Tiger’s signature bright yellow taking over the facade’s windows and furnishing and knickknacks inside.
—Martino Carrera, WWD, 29 July 2024
Eckert, whose hospitality management company includes 86 hotels and resorts under different brands, said hotels even welcome it when guests take some knickknacks home; a pen emblazoned with the name of a hotel, a tiny sewing kit or a little lotion bottle can serve as a mini piece of marketing.
—Hannah Sampson, Washington Post, 23 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for knickknack 
Cristian Esteban, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2024
Social media is a growing priority, and there’s more brands, accessories and knickknacks by labels like Beams Japan to peruse.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 8 Aug. 2024
Housed inside an 18th-century stately palazzo traditionally closed to the public, the space has been decked in Onitsuka Tiger’s signature bright yellow taking over the facade’s windows and furnishing and knickknacks inside.
—Martino Carrera, WWD, 29 July 2024
Eckert, whose hospitality management company includes 86 hotels and resorts under different brands, said hotels even welcome it when guests take some knickknacks home; a pen emblazoned with the name of a hotel, a tiny sewing kit or a little lotion bottle can serve as a mini piece of marketing.
—Hannah Sampson, Washington Post, 23 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for knickknack
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 1 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
knickknack
noun
knick·knack
ˈnik-ˌnak 
: a small ornamental object
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