Definition

Noun: A retail establishment that specializes in selling a variety of unusual, amusing, or whimsical items, typically intended as gifts or for personal amusement. These shops often stock miscellaneous articles that are decorative, humorous, or represent current fads.

Usage

A "novelty shop" is a specific type of store. You visit it to find unique, fun items. - We went to a novelty shop to buy funny souvenirs for our friends. - That novelty shop on Main Street sells whoopee cushions and giant sunglasses.

Advanced Usage

• The term can imply the items sold are trendy or of a passing fad, not intended to be durable or long-lasting.
  • Most of the toys from the novelty shop broke within a week, but they were very entertaining.

Variants and Related Words

• Novelty (noun): The quality of being new, original, or unusual. Also refers to a small, inexpensive, often amusing article.
  • The novelty of the gadget wore off quickly.
  • He bought a few novelties for the party.

Synonyms

• Gift shop (though a gift shop may sell more traditional items)
• Curiosity shop
• Trinket shop

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Novelty item/novelty goods: Refers to the type of merchandise sold in such a shop.
  • The company started by importing novelty items.

Noun

1. a shop that sells miscellaneous articles appropriate as gifts