knick-knacks

IPA/ˈnɪk.næk/
KK[nˈɪknˈæks]IPA/ˈnɪk.næk/

knick-knacks — noun

1. small objects that are displayed in a room because they are pretty or interestin

1.名詞B2
釋義

small objects that are displayed in a room because they are pretty or interesting to look at, though they have no practical use

例句

Hana's shelves were crowded with knick-knacks from her travels across Asia.

knick-knacks from [place] — showing where they came from

Dmitri dusted the porcelain knick-knacks on his grandmother's old sideboard.

collocation: porcelain knick-knacks; dust (verb) for cleaning them

同義詞
  • trinket

    emphasises cheapness or low value; often refers to jewellery or small souvenirs

  • ornament

    broader term for any decorative object, regardless of size; more formal

  • bric-a-brac

    refers to a mixed collection of old or curious small objects, often sold as a set

用法筆記

Almost always used in the plural form. The singular 'knick-knack' is technically correct but sounds unnatural in everyday speech — even a single item is usually described as 'a knick-knack' only in writing or dictionary definitions.

常見錯誤

❌She bought a knick-knacks at the market.
✅She bought some knick-knacks at the market.
💡the word is plural; never use 'a' directly before it.
❌I keep my knick-knack on the shelf.
✅I keep my knick-knacks on the shelf.
💡even when talking about one item, the plural form is the natural choice in conversation.