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

Arrow Rock Antiques & Mercantile is stocked with vintage knickknacks and home decor items. — Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026

Décor To complement wall art, look for knickknacks and small décor items, such as statues, decorative trays, faux plants, and ceramic pieces. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 25 Sep. 2026

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

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