knick-knack

A small glass knick-knack sits on the windowsill.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Small decorative object: A "knick-knack" is a small, ornamental object, often of little intrinsic value, used for decoration or as a trinket.
   • Trivial item: It can also refer to any small, unimportant item, especially one kept for sentimental reasons.

Usage Examples

• (Small decorative objects collected during journeys.)
• (Ornamental trinkets of little monetary worth.)
• (Unimportant, trivial items.)

Advanced Usage

• "a knick-knack collection": a group of small decorative items.
  • Her knick-knack collection filled every corner of the living room. (A large assortment of ornamental objects.)
• "knick-knack shelf": a shelf specifically for displaying such items.
  • He built a knick-knack shelf to showcase his wife's ceramic animals. (A shelf for displaying small ornaments.)

Variants and Related Words

• Knick-knackery (n): a collection or mass of knick-knacks.
  • The attic was full of dusty knick-knackery from past generations. (A large amount of assorted trinkets.)
• Knick-knackish (adj): resembling or characteristic of a knick-knack.
  • The tiny, knick-knackish vase was too small for real flowers. (Having the quality of a small, ornamental object.)

Synonyms

• Trinket: a small, cheap ornament or piece of jewelry.
• Bauble: a showy, often inexpensive decoration.
• Curio: an object valued for its rarity or oddity, often small.
• Bibelot: a small, decorative object of artistic interest.

Related Idioms

• "Not worth a knick-knack": of extremely little value.
  • That old vase is not worth a knick-knack; it's just a souvenir. (Virtually worthless.)
• "A knick-knack and a widget": used informally to refer to miscellaneous small items.
  • The box was filled with a knick-knack and a widget, but nothing useful. (Various trivial odds and ends.)