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
Special Items 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, 9 Feb. 2025
Live map California fire map: Track this fire live
A retired pharmacist, Kelley was known for keeping her home clean, dusting every corner of the house, decorating it with family photos and knickknacks that gave the house a cozy, welcoming feel.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
That little niche designed to house a landline phone can be turned into a functional space for displaying plants and knickknacks.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2025
Old Town is also a good place to get souvenirs, with there being plenty of gift shops to get some Arizona knickknacks.
—Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for knickknack 
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Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2025
Live map California fire map: Track this fire live
A retired pharmacist, Kelley was known for keeping her home clean, dusting every corner of the house, decorating it with family photos and knickknacks that gave the house a cozy, welcoming feel.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
That little niche designed to house a landline phone can be turned into a functional space for displaying plants and knickknacks.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2025
Old Town is also a good place to get souvenirs, with there being plenty of gift shops to get some Arizona knickknacks.
—Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for knickknack
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Dictionary Entries Near knickknack
Cite this Entry
“Knickknack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knickknack. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
knickknack
noun
knick·knack
ˈnik-ˌnak 
: a small ornamental object
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