knick-knack

/ˈnɪk næk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnɪk næk/ (ame, ipa)

knick-knack — noun

1. a tiny ornamental item kept around the home to make a room feel personal, often

1.名詞C1
釋義

a tiny ornamental item kept around the home to make a room feel personal, often inexpensive and chosen for charm rather than usefulness.

例句

Adina's shelves were crowded with knick-knacks she had collected from weekend markets.

typical plural use: shelves crowded with knick-knacks

Before the movers arrived, Theo wrapped each fragile knick-knack in old newspaper.

singular form with a modifier (fragile knick-knack)

同義詞
  • trinket

    neutral and slightly more formal; emphasises small low-value object, often jewelry-like

  • bauble

    stresses showy but worthless; can sound dismissive

  • tchotchke

    very informal, Yiddish-origin US English; often mildly pejorative about clutter

  • ornament

    broader and neutral; covers any decorative object including large ones

文法句型

usually plural: knick-knacks

用法筆記

Almost always plural in real use ('knick-knacks'); the singular sounds slightly forced. Subject is typically a person, room, or shelf — the word names the object itself, not the act of collecting it.

常見錯誤

❌I bought a knick-knack at the airport' (sounds stilted in everyday speech).
✅I bought a few knick-knacks at the airport.
💡native speakers reach for the plural even when describing a single purchase.