bric-a-brac

or bric-à-brac

[ brik-uh-brak ]

/ ˈbrɪk əˌbræk /

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See synonyms for bric-a-brac on Thesaurus.com

noun (used with a singular or plural verb)

miscellaneous small articles collected for their antiquarian, sentimental, decorative, or other interest.

OTHER WORDS FOR bric-a-brac

trinkets, gimcracks, knickknacks, baubles, gewgaws.

See synonyms for bric-a-brac on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of bric-a-brac

1830–40; <French, Middle French: literally, at random, without rhyme or reason; gradational compound from elements of obscure origin

Words nearby bric-a-brac

Briard, Briareus, briarroot, bribe, bribery, bric-a-brac, Brice, bricht, brick, brick-and-mortar, brickbat

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use bric-a-brac in a sentence

ROME — What does it take for a Hollywood A-lister to get a private audience with Pope Francis?
Pope Francis Has the Pleasure of Meeting Angelina Jolie for a Few Seconds|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Yes, Byrd—dead four-and-a-half years now—was a Kleagle in the Ku Klux Klan.
Steve Scalise and the Right’s Ridiculous Racial Blame Game|Michael Tomasky|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
By the time it concluded with a sing-a-long of “XO,” Beyoncé had done the rare thing.
Bow Down, Bitches: How Beyoncé Turned an Elevator Brawl Into a Perfect Year|Kevin Fallon|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In another year, stories about the strange new face of an A-list actress might draw chortles and cackles.
Renée Zellweger Got a New Face—and Everyone Had An Opinion About It|Kevin O’Keeffe|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Because Duck Dynasty receives monster TV ratings and Robertson paid by a company (A&E) while making these public statements.
Butts, Brawls, and Bill Cosby: The Biggest Celebrity Scandals of 2014 |Kevin Fallon|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now-a-days it is the bankrupt who flouts, and his too confiding creditors who are jeered and laughed at.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
He felt himself the meanest, vilest thing a-crawl upon this sinful earth, and she—dear God!
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
All that scientific bric-a-brac in the cupboard had far better be thrown away.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
Urinary sediments may be studied under three heads: A. Unorganized sediments.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Part of that idea was sham bric-à-brac, the rest was carte blanche to Messrs. Spick and Span.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

British Dictionary definitions for bric-a-brac

bric-a-brac

/ (ˈbrɪkəˌbræk) /

noun

miscellaneous small objects, esp furniture and curios, kept because they are ornamental or rare

Word Origin for bric-a-brac

C19: from French; phrase based on bric piece

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

bric-a-brac

or bric-à-brac

OTHER WORDS FOR bric-a-brac

Origin of bric-a-brac

Words nearby bric-a-brac

Words related to bric-a-brac

How to use bric-a-brac in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bric-a-brac

Word Origin for bric-a-brac