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
In our woeful orthography, choir, and liar rhyme, daughter and laughter don’t, and knickknack has four—count them, four—entirely useless K’s.
—Gabe Henry, Time, 15 Apr. 2025
Tired of lining Instagram owner Mark Zuckerberg’s pockets without any return, Tapia recently spearheaded the work to open an accompanying online shop, the Los Feliz General Store, which sells shirts and knickknacks.
—Nate Rogers, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
The two small drawers are perfect for storing all of those out-the-door essentials and knickknacks, while the overall glamour of this piece would look right at home in an upscale apartment or quiet country home.
—Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 4 Apr. 2025
The wooden East African-style doors, Persian rugs, ornate Moroccan vases, bright artworks, and various knickknacks add to the camp’s colorful maximalist vibe.
—Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for knickknack
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Gabe Henry, Time, 15 Apr. 2025
Tired of lining Instagram owner Mark Zuckerberg’s pockets without any return, Tapia recently spearheaded the work to open an accompanying online shop, the Los Feliz General Store, which sells shirts and knickknacks.
—Nate Rogers, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
The two small drawers are perfect for storing all of those out-the-door essentials and knickknacks, while the overall glamour of this piece would look right at home in an upscale apartment or quiet country home.
—Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 4 Apr. 2025
The wooden East African-style doors, Persian rugs, ornate Moroccan vases, bright artworks, and various knickknacks add to the camp’s colorful maximalist vibe.
—Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for knickknack
Cite this Entry
“Knickknack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knickknack. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
knickknack
noun
knick·knack
ˈnik-ˌnak 
: a small ornamental object
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