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 RiceExamples 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
Whether antiques, cherished knickknacks, or heirlooms, items that are very delicate and/or precious to the customer are typically items house cleaners won’t want to mess with in order to cut down the risk of damaging them.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Don’t fill your space with knickknacks from a one-stop shopping spree.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Aug. 2025
The exhibit, which will run through Nov. 23, contains a trove of artifacts that go well beyond old documents, pictures and knickknacks.
—David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
With six tiers and two extra shelves at the base, there’s room to show off your favorite reads, plus a plant or a couple knickknacks.
—Toni Sutton, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knickknack
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Don’t fill your space with knickknacks from a one-stop shopping spree.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Aug. 2025
The exhibit, which will run through Nov. 23, contains a trove of artifacts that go well beyond old documents, pictures and knickknacks.
—David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
With six tiers and two extra shelves at the base, there’s room to show off your favorite reads, plus a plant or a couple knickknacks.
—Toni Sutton, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knickknack
Cite this Entry
“Knickknack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knickknack. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
knickknack
noun
knick·knack
ˈnik-ˌnak 
: a small ornamental object
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share