Quick answer
Bric-A-Brac means small ornamental objects, curios, and miscellaneous decorative items. It is usually pronounced BRIK-uh-brak, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Bric-A-Brac
Bric-A-Brac means small ornamental objects, curios, and miscellaneous decorative items. It belongs to tiny things and trifles and works best in playful writing, lively dialogue, and moments when plain wording feels too flat. It is still understandable today, but it usually sounds more vivid and deliberate than ordinary modern vocabulary.
At a glance
small-thingstriflesodd-objects
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, bric-a-brac refers to small ornamental objects, curios, and miscellaneous decorative items. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
Why this word feels absurd
Bric-A-Brac feels absurd because the hyphen makes it sound assembled for comic effect, slamming two blunt pieces of language together into one memorable label.
Origin and history
Bric-A-Brac is generally traced to borrowed from French, where the reduplicated form suggested odds and ends. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Bric-A-Brac is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
Example sentences
- The column dismissed the whole rumor as bric-a-brac.
- In the novel, one bric-a-brac is enough to derail the dinner party.
- She used bric-a-brac in the essay because the plain modern word felt too bland.
- The teacher paused to explain bric-a-brac before asking the class to use it in context.
- They kept repeating bric-a-brac because the sound of it was almost as memorable as the meaning.
When should you use this word?
Use bric-a-brac when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in playful writing, dialogue, and places where tone matters.
Similar words
knickknacks, curios, ornaments, trinkets
Opposite or contrasting words
minimalism, bare surfaces, essentials only
Common questions
- What does bric-a-brac mean? small ornamental objects, curios, and miscellaneous decorative items.
- How do you pronounce bric-a-brac? It is commonly pronounced BRIK-uh-brak.
- Is bric-a-brac still used today? Bric-A-Brac is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
- When should you use bric-a-brac? Use bric-a-brac when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in playful writing, dialogue, and places where tone matters.
- What words are similar to bric-a-brac? Similar words include knickknacks, curios, ornaments, and trinkets.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.