knickknack

noun

knick·​knack ˈnik-ˌnak 

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

Melissa 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

Synonyms of knickknack

• ornamental
• ornament
• souvenir

Examples 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

The angular build brings in thoughtful symmetry and lots of tabletop space to curate a varied display of coffee table books and knickknacks. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026

The General Store, a Littleton spot for gifts, knickknacks and small bites, will open its second location in the unit directly next door to the 26-foot-tall ice cream churn bucket. — Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2026

Attendants were tasked with caring for the trees, interacting with visitors, and giving performances, as well as contributing knickknacks that would serve as totems from their past. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 20 Aug. 2026

But each room is packed with nooks and crannies and knickknacks to click around on, investigate, and learn about, so there’s almost always something to dig into. — Jay Peters, The Verge, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

reduplication of knack

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for knickknack

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

knickknack

noun

knick·​knack ˈnik-ˌnak 

: a small ornamental object