Quick answer
Nicknack means a small decorative trinket or minor object, similar to a knick-knack. It is usually pronounced , and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Nicknack
Nicknack means a small decorative trinket or minor object, similar to a knick-knack. 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, nicknack refers to a small decorative trinket or minor object, similar to a knick-knack. 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
Nicknack feels absurd because its repeated sounds give it a bounce or wobble that makes the word feel half descriptive and half sound effect.
Origin and history
Nicknack is generally traced to origin uncertain. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Nicknack 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 nicknack.
- In the novel, one nicknack is enough to derail the dinner party.
- She used nicknack in the essay because the plain modern word felt too bland.
- The teacher paused to explain nicknack before asking the class to use it in context.
- They kept repeating nicknack because the sound of it was almost as memorable as the meaning.
When should you use this word?
Use nicknack 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
bauble, baublet, bibelot, bits-and-bobs, bric-a-brac
Opposite or contrasting words
plain speech, everyday wording, straightforward language
Common questions
- What does nicknack mean? a small decorative trinket or minor object, similar to a knick-knack.
- How do you pronounce nicknack? It is commonly pronounced .
- Is nicknack still used today? Nicknack 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 nicknack? Use nicknack 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 nicknack? Similar words include bauble, baublet, bibelot, and bits-and-bobs.
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.