knickknack

noun knick·knack \ ˈnik-ˌnak \

variants: or less commonly nicknack

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Examples: knickknack in a Sentence

Definition of knickknack

: a small trivial article usually intended for ornament

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Examples of knickknack in a Sentence

The shelves were filled with knickknacks.
a variety of pretty porcelain knickknacks adorned the mantel

Recent Examples of knickknack from the Web

The first floor does hold some accessories and knickknacks: costume jewelry, neon beer signs, German beer steins, early 20th-century postcards, vintage Playboys and comic books.

— ryan smith, Chicago Reader, "Will the music finally stop at Recycled Records in Springfield?," 30 May 2018
Cost: Prices range from $16 per month (with free shipping) for a box that includes one paperbackto $45 per month (plus shipping and handling) for a box that includes one paperback and various grooming products, accessories or knickknacks.

— nora krug, chicagotribune.com, "Looking for the perfect book? Here are nine subscription boxes that can help," 30 May 2018
Inside, small vignettes turn up here and there, composed from little toys, knickknacks and accoutrements with African and African American ties — basketball players, Egyptian sphinxes, braided hair extensions, black ballerinas.

— christopher knight, latimes.com, "Lauren Halsey takes a fantastic voyage in MOCA's 'we still here, there'," 24 May 2018
The kitchen is painted royal purple and the walls are covered with knickknacks and decor that reflects different cultures Ehrlich is interested in, including Indian, African and traditional American themes.

— kathryn gregory, The Courier-Journal, "Lush shade garden is a hidden gem in this Old Louisville mansion," 24 May 2018
There was also a profusion of statuary, antiques, silverware, and what can only be called very high-end knickknacks.

— Fortune, "The 10 Biggest Surprises From the $828 Million Rockefeller Auction," 12 May 2018
Following what has become the standard protocol in psychedelic therapy, volunteers stretch out on a couch in a room decorated to look like a cozy den, with spiritual knickknacks lining the bookshelves.

— michael pollan, WSJ, "The New Science of Psychedelics," 3 May 2018
Over a long career in public life, former Congressman Dan Rostenkowski collected countless knickknacks.

— gregory pratt, chicagotribune.com, "JFK inaugural address on vinyl, 1890s Illinois map, Mickey Mouse jacket for grabs at former U.S. Rep. Dan Rostenkowski estate sale," 27 Apr. 2018
Don’t be afraid to incorporate fun vintage knickknacks to decorate the table—for instance, vintage glass doorknobs to hold the dessert labels for a cake display.

— Sunset, "11 Creative Vintage Wedding Decor Ideas," 22 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'knickknack.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.