trinket

play

noun trin·ket \ ˈtriŋ-kət \

Definition of trinket

1 :a small ornament (such as a jewel or ring)

2 :a small article of equipment

3 :a thing of little value :trifle

See trinket defined for English-language learners

See trinket defined for kids

Examples of trinket in a Sentence

the top of his desk was littered with trinkets that were collected as souvenirs from various vacations

Recent Examples of trinket from the Web

Oriental rugs, east Asian textiles, Chinese pots, furniture and trinkets from around the world decorate their home that changes style with the seasons while still preserving its turn-of-the-century details.

— madeleine winer, The Courier-Journal, "Turn-of-the-century prairie homestead takes you on a trip around the globe," 17 Aug. 2017
Built-ins in the living room are custom: Natalie sketched them out, adding little nooks to hold family hand-me-downs and other trinkets of significance to the family.

— shauna steigerwald, Cincinnati.com, "Cool Homes: Modern home with city views in Mount Auburn," 9 Aug. 2017
Miniature trinkets and inflatable imitations like Brar's soon became available on Chinese online shopping platform Taobao, where Trump chicken balloons ranging from six to more than 33 feet tall sold for between $75 and $750.

— ryan kilpatrick, Time, "A Giant Inflatable Chicken Resembling President Trump Has Appeared Near the White House," 9 Aug. 2017
The market features fresh fruits and vegetables, trinkets, alpaca meat, clothing, photography, food trucks, live entertainment, and more.

— quoron walker, Courant Community, "Spruce St. Market Nights Open," 13 July 2017
The packet contains a cornucopia of cosmetics, candies, and trinkets, along with a personal note.

— christopher johnston, The Christian Science Monitor, "How Cleveland has become a leader in trying to eradicate human trafficking," 9 July 2017
Other women have adapted broken watches and trinkets for similar purposes -- and a sure fire way of getting yourself noticed.

— tim spector, CNN, "I spent three days as a hunter-gatherer to see if it would improve my gut health," 5 July 2017
The kids can create trinkets and boxes with messages of love for their friends and families at the artmaking stations.

— junette reyes, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Hands-on exhibit focuses on youth and emotions," 3 July 2017
As guests Emmy Rossum, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, and Minka Kelly made their way out, they were treated to a gift bag filled with special trinkets, including a The Lipstick Lobby lip color whose proceeds benefit Planned Parenthood.

— Vogue, "Wonder Women: Gal Gadot, Jaime King, and More Shop for Sustainability," 29 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of trinket

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1527

See Words from the same year

trinket Synonyms

Synonyms

bauble, bibelot, curio, curiosity, doodad, gaud, gewgaw (also geegaw), gimcrack, kickshaw, novelty, ornamental, tchotchke, knickknack

Related Words

bijouterie, bric-a-brac, gimcrackery, trinketry, trumpery, virtu (or vertu); bagatelle, trifle; figurine, objet d'art (also objet), ornament; keepsake, memento, souvenir; conversation piece; collectible (or collectable), collector's item

TRINKET Defined for English Language Learners

trinket

play

noun

Definition of trinket for English Language Learners

: a piece of jewelry or an ornament that has little value

TRINKET Defined for Kids

trinket

play

noun trin·ket \ ˈtriŋ-kət \

Definition of trinket for Students

:a small object of little value

Learn More about trinket

See words that rhyme with trinket Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for trinket Spanish Central: Translation of trinket Nglish: Translation of trinket for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up trinket? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

trinket

Definition of trinket

Examples of trinket in a Sentence

Recent Examples of trinket from the Web

Origin and Etymology of trinket

trinket Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

TRINKET Defined for English Language Learners

trinket

Definition of trinket for English Language Learners

TRINKET Defined for Kids

trinket

Definition of trinket for Students

Learn More about trinket

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

broadside

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

How 'Premises' Came to Mean 'Property'

10 Uncommon Words for 'Drunkard'

'Meat Sweats': The Cookout's Worst Nightmare

'Diffuse' vs. 'Defuse'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Spell It

Word Winder's CrossWinder

How 'Premises' Came to Mean 'Property'

10 Uncommon Words for 'Drunkard'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066

trinket

Definition of trinket

People Are Reading

Examples of trinket in a Sentence

Recent Examples of trinket from the Web

Origin and Etymology of trinket

trinket Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

TRINKET Defined for English Language Learners

trinket

Definition of trinket for English Language Learners

TRINKET Defined for Kids

trinket

Definition of trinket for Students

Learn More about trinket

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

How 'Premises' Came to Mean 'Property'

10 Uncommon Words for 'Drunkard'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066