bauble

noun

bau·​ble ˈbȯ-bəl 

ˈbä-

1

: trinket sense 1

He affixed the bauble, with a kiss, upon her middle finger …

—Elinor Wylie

2

: a scepter of a fool (see fool entry 1 sense 2a)

… the licensed jester … brandished his bauble …

—Sir Walter Scott

3

: something of trifling appeal

4

British : ornament

specifically : a Christmas ornament

Our tree was decorated, most tastefully, with apt baubles bought from Georg Jensen.

—Geoffrey Wolff

Synonyms

• bibelot
• curio
• curiosity
• doodad
• gaud
• gewgaw
• geegaw
• gimcrack
• kickshaw
• knickknack
• nicknack
• novelty
• ornamental
• tchotchke
• trinket

Examples of bauble in a Sentence

picked up some cheap baubles at the fair

Recent Examples on the Web

On Sunday, traders of every nationality were already scouring its labyrinthine International Trade City, colloquially known as simply Yiwu Market, for samples of festive baubles and tinsel. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Mar. 2025

Perez said the Legislature needs to resist the shiny new baubles dangled in front of them by lobbyists and special interest groups and cut unnecessary spending. —Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025

That again would increase wear and tear of an expensive bauble. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2025

Slouchy fits with grungy washes were embellished with baubles, distressing and color contrasting patchwork. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English babel, from Middle French

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bauble

• cantabile
• cobble
• gobble
• hobble
• labile
• squabble
• wobble

Kids Definition

bauble

noun

bau·​ble ˈbȯ-bəl 

ˈbäb-əl

: an object of little value