variants
or less commonly nicknack
plural knickknacks also nicknacks
: a small trivial article usually intended for ornament
a collection of colorful knickknacks
Known in the computer industry as tchotchkes, which is Yiddish for cheap trinkets, the knickknacks distributed in the past year have included "Love Me Tender" toilet-roll dispensers, wax eyeballs, chocolate computers and Nerf-ball launchers.—
Jim Carlton
Jim CarltonMelissa Etheridge's spacious two-story home outside Los Angeles is filled with knickknacks from her life: Aside from awards and photos, there is a small collection of vintage neon clocks … and a Thelma & Louise poster signed by the cast (including a then-unknown Brad Pitt).—Lynette Rice
Lynette RiceExamples of knickknack in a Sentence
The shelves were filled with knickknacks.
a variety of pretty porcelain knickknacks adorned the mantel
Recent Examples on the Web
A lot of those people have Victoria Baumann and Charlie Moreton to thank, the father-daughter duo behind Victoria Essie Studio that produces fidget toys and other knickknacks out of their homes in North Carolina.
—Jennifer Liu
valentina Duarte, CNBC, 14 June 2026
Small knickknacks, like salt and pepper shakers, can be cute, but thrifting experts recommend against buying them at garage sales.
—Heather Bien, Martha Stewart, 7 June 2026
In Lincolnwood, Ritu Uppal, the 60-year-old owner of a knickknack and home decor store, wishes decisionmakers would prioritize people who depend on malls more, rather than treat closures as business transactions.
—Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Add a natural wood or wicker coffee table to the living room, or stack some stone knickknacks on a side table.
—Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for knickknack
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.
Jennifer Liu
valentina Duarte, CNBC, 14 June 2026
Small knickknacks, like salt and pepper shakers, can be cute, but thrifting experts recommend against buying them at garage sales.
—Heather Bien, Martha Stewart, 7 June 2026
In Lincolnwood, Ritu Uppal, the 60-year-old owner of a knickknack and home decor store, wishes decisionmakers would prioritize people who depend on malls more, rather than treat closures as business transactions.
—Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Add a natural wood or wicker coffee table to the living room, or stack some stone knickknacks on a side table.
—Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for knickknack
Cite this Entry
“Knickknack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knickknack. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
knickknack
noun
knick·knack
ˈnik-ˌnak 
: a small ornamental object
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
