knickknack
Definition
Noun: 1. A small, decorative object, often of little monetary value: A knickknack is a small ornament or trinket, typically mass-produced and inexpensive, kept for display or sentimental reasons. 2. A miscellaneous curiosity or trinket: It can refer to any small, miscellaneous article, often collected or displayed in a group.
Usage
The word "knickknack" is used to describe small, non-essential decorative items. They are often displayed on shelves, mantelpieces, or in cabinets. The term carries a connotation of being quaint, charming, or sentimental rather than highly valuable or artistic.
Examples
- Noun:
- Her living room shelves were filled with little knickknacks she had collected from her travels.
- He bought a few cheap knickknacks as souvenirs from the gift shop.
- The box was full of old photographs and assorted knickknacks.
Advanced Usage
- "Knickknack shelf" or "knickknack cabinet": A piece of furniture specifically designed to display such items.
- The antique knickknack cabinet held her collection of porcelain figurines.
Variants and Related Words
- Knick-knack: An alternative spelling with a hyphen.
- Nicknack: A less common variant spelling.
- Tchotchke (noun): A synonym, often used in American English, with the same meaning of a small decorative object.
- Bauble (noun): A small, showy trinket or decoration.
- Trinket (noun): A small ornament or item of jewelry, typically of low value.
- Curio (noun): A rare, unusual, or intriguing object, which can sometimes be a more valuable or interesting type of knickknack.
Synonyms
- Ornament
- Trinket
- Bauble
- Gewgaw
- Tchotchke
- Bibelot
- Curiosity
Antonyms
- Essential
- Necessity
- Masterpiece (implying great artistic value)
- Heirloom (implying significant monetary or sentimental value)
Related Phrases and Idioms
- Knickknacks and doodads: A playful, alliterative phrase used to refer to an assortment of small, miscellaneous items.
- The drawer was a jumble of knickknacks and doodads.
- To collect knickknacks: A common phrase describing the hobby of accumulating such items.
- My grandmother loved to collect knickknacks from every place she visited.
Noun
-
miscellaneous curios
-
a small inexpensive mass-produced article
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