knickknack

noun

ˈnik-ˌnak How to pronounce knickknack (audio)
variants also nicknack
Definition of knickknacknext
as in ornamental
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest a variety of pretty porcelain knickknacks adorned the mantel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of knickknack 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 Books and knickknacks made from bronze, glass and wood cover the coffee table. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026 My father did not like clutter and as such did not save many knickknacks and mementoes. — Literary Hub, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for knickknack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knickknack
  1. ornamental
  2. ornament
  3. souvenir
Noun
  • Late-Modern architect focuses on a sleek design with minimal ornamentals.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2026
  • While this group of pathogens has an extensive range of hosts, it is often observed on woody ornamentals—viburnum or rhododendron, for example—and trees like dogwood or maple.
    — Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of ornamental
Noun
  • Scarabs, serpents, vultures, lunar ornaments, ancient gods like Horus and Anubis carved from gold and lapis lazuli—all strategically placed on various points along the body.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026
  • With a tornado warning in effect Sunday afternoon, workers had decided to forgo blowing up the oversized lawn ornament.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of ornament
Noun
  • In other words, someone who spent $1,000 on what seemed like an outrageous baseball souvenir more than a decade ago could now have the opportunity to bring the whole family to the World Series without paying today's eye-popping resale prices.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Chen said another product category that has taken off is their souvenir merchandise.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of souvenir

Browse Nearby Words

knickerbockers
knickknack
knickknacks
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Knickknack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knickknack. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All