Some objects find a place in our homes simply because we like having them around. Today's word describes these small decorative treasures
Word of the Day: KNICKKNACK
Pronunciation: UK /ˈnɪk.næk/
US /ˈnɪk.næk/
Also Read
Meaning
A knickknack is a small decorative object, usually kept at home to make a room look more attractive. It often has little practical or monetary value, but may hold sentimental value for its owner.
Examples for daily usage
- She brought home a tiny ceramic elephant as a knickknack from her holiday.
- The shelves were filled with knickknacks collected over several years.
- My grandmother's living room has a knickknack from almost every place she has visited.
Origin and history
The word knickknack dates back to the late 16th century. It developed through the repetition of the word knack, which was once used to mean a toy, trinket or clever device. This type of word formation, in which a sound or word is repeated with a slight variation, gives knickknack its playful rhythm. The term was initially associated with petty tricks before becoming commonly used for small ornamental objects.
Also Read: Word of the Day, October 17: ‘Jeopardy’
Cultural significance and modern usage
Knickknacks are often part of how people make a house feel like home. They may include souvenirs from holidays, miniature figurines, ceramic animals, decorative plates or objects passed down through families.
While some people enjoy displaying these items, others prefer uncluttered spaces and see them as unnecessary decoration.
The word can sometimes carry a slightly dismissive tone, suggesting that an object is inexpensive or has little practical use. However, a knickknack that seems ordinary to one person may hold a special memory for another.
Interesting facts
Knickknack can also be written as knick-knack. Both spellings are used in English.
The plural form is knickknacks.
The word bric-a-brac has a similar meaning and usually refers to miscellaneous decorative objects or collectibles.
Examples from literature
- “It looked pretty and comfortable.” The room is described as being filled with “wooden knick-knacks”— Anita Desai, Cat on a House Boat
- “Is art anything that we have reason to value? Is it a mere adornment of life which we can do without—or a mere knick-knack for Dame Civilization to hang about her wrinkled neck in order to dazzle her neighbours?”— Daniel Defoe, The Life, Adventures, and Pyracies of the Famous Captain Singleton
- "With your old familiar household gods to greet your gaze whenever you glance up, and all your little knick-knacks spread around you...”— Jerome K. Jerome, The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow
Synonyms
- Trinket
- Ornament
- Bauble
- Curio
- Keepsake
- Souvenir
Read more Word of the Day here.
Published: 18 Oct 2026, 10:24 am IST
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