knickknack
or nick·nack
[ nik-nak ]
/ ˈnɪkˌnæk /
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noun
an ornamental trinket or gimcrack; a bit of bric-a-brac.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Origin of knickknack
1610–20; gradational compound based on knack in obsolete sense “toy”
OTHER WORDS FROM knickknack
knickknacked, adjectiveknickknacky, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for knickknack
British Dictionary definitions for knickknack
knick-knack
nick-nack
/ (ˈnɪkˌnæk) /
noun
a cheap ornament; trinket
an ornamental article of furniture, dress, etc
Derived forms of knick-knack
knick-knackery or nick-nackery, nounWord Origin for knick-knack
C17: by reduplication from knack, in obsolete sense: toy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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