gewgaw

[ gyoo-gaw, goo- ]
See synonyms for gewgaw on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. something gaudy and useless; trinket; bauble.

Origin of gewgaw

1
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English giuegaue; gradational compound of uncertain origin; perhaps akin to Middle French, French gogo (see (à) gogo)
  • Also gee·gaw [jee-gaw, gee-] /ˈdʒi gɔ, ˈgi-/ .

Other words from gewgaw

  • gewgawed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for gewgaw

gewgaw

/ (ˈɡjuːɡɔː, ˈɡuː-) /


noun
  1. a showy but valueless trinket

adjective
  1. showy and valueless; gaudy

Origin of gewgaw

1
C15: of unknown origin

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