bauble

[ baw-buhl ]

noun

1. a showy, usually cheap, ornament; trinket; gewgaw.
2. a jester's scepter.

bauble

/ ˈbɔːbəl /

noun

1. a showy toy or trinket of little value; trifle
2. a small, usually spherical ornament made of coloured or decorated material which is hung from the branches of a Christmas tree Usual US nameChristmas ornament
3. (formerly) a mock staff of office carried by a court jester

Word History and Origins

Origin of bauble¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English babel, babulle, from Old French babel, baubel, derivatives of an expressive base with varying vocalisms; compare Old French baubelet “little trinket”; bibelot

Word History and Origins

Origin of bauble¹

C14: from Old French baubel plaything, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

We’d develop a dysfunctional relationship, a one-sided thing where I took care of it—groomed it, blew on it, looked lovingly at its shapes, hung colorful baubles on it—and it would remain obdurate.

From Outside Online

Through shopping with one of these apps, the carbon footprint of that extra sweater, toy, or bauble can look a lot more real.

From Popular-Science

In the time before Christmas, only hang a few light ornaments, and hold off on heavy baubles that drag down branches until the week of the holiday.

From Popular-Science

Justice is not some bauble to be sold to the highest bidder.

From Time

The chain’s advertising tactics shifted again in 1979, introducing the Happy Meal with its precious toy baubles.

From Eater

For this apparently new and shiny one-state bauble is in fact a prudently discarded historical relic.

From The Daily Beast

This would not include the occasional sapphire or emerald bauble, nor the gold or pearl necessities.

From The Daily Beast

Finally I located and extracted the missing bauble, and with a triumphant whoop Elizabeth led me back into the waiting room.

From The Daily Beast

Domino was a beautiful bauble, but its disappearance was a fairly minor loss to the wider culture.

From The Daily Beast

The object had something of the form of a jester's bauble with points, which hung flabby and undulating.

From Project Gutenberg

A shout of laughter burst from the mob, and the clown flourished his bauble and bowed acknowledgments from side to side.

From Project Gutenberg

His eyes dimmed as they conveyed to him the image of his still beloved Imperatorskoye—he pressed the bauble to his lips.

From Project Gutenberg

Rising, Bon Vouloir, amid the exclamations of the court, claimed the privilege that went with the bauble.

From Project Gutenberg

Never anything but trouble has followed in the wake of that unhappy bauble of vanity since it first put in its appearance.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• knickknack
• trinket