bric-a-brac

noun

plural bric-a-brac
1
: a miscellaneous collection of small articles commonly of ornamental or sentimental value : curios
2
: something suggesting bric-a-brac especially in extraneous decorative quality

Examples of bric-a-brac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Uncle Herschel is back, but his bric-a-brac may stay in the landfill. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025 Countless bric-a-brac has been pulled from the shipwreck in the decades since, but on July 13, divers with Atlantic Wreck Salvage found something significant: a compass from the bridge. Mark Price july 29, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025 There are stickers covering every inch of space, and bric-a-brac, too, but nothing is picayune — nothing feels arbitrary or fake. Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2025 Pop them off to reveal circular inlays perfect for holding a small basket or tray where daily bric-a-brac can accumulate, or keep them attached (our preference) for a truly striking architectural statement. Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 11 June 2025 Clean Up Your Mess To be fair, some booths at antiques stores are a hot mess, with junk piled high like bric-a-brac Jenga. Josh Miller, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2025 Like the larger market to the north, the flea market at Vanves is home to vintage rugs and clothes, vinyl records, antique jewelry, and other retro bric-a-brac. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2024 This market is a strange concoction of karaoke bars, bric-a-brac and items from that war on sale: photos, medals and dog tags from men who were lost and never found. Richard Quest, CNN, 6 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French bric-à-brac

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bric-a-brac was in 1830

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bric-a-brac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bric-a-brac. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

bric-a-brac

noun
ˈbrik-ə-ˌbrak
: small ornamental articles

More from Merriam-Webster on bric-a-brac

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!