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.
Kids run to and from the small arcade area, somehow managing to not knock over all the bric-a-brac that serves as decor, including a suit of armor near the restrooms. Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 30 Oct. 2025 Cracker Barrel’s decor harkens back to a time of family restaurants with bric-a-brac covering the walls. Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025 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

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 16 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

bric-a-brac

noun
ˈbrik-ə-ˌbrak
: small ornamental articles

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