trinket

IPA/ˈtrɪŋkɪt/
KK[trˈɪŋkət]IPA/ˈtrɪŋkɪt/

trinket — noun

  • trinketsingular
  • trinketsplural

1. a small item that is not expensive and is kept or worn for decoration rather tha

1.nounB1
Definition

a small item that is not expensive and is kept or worn for decoration rather than for any useful purpose — for example, a cheap bracelet, a glass animal, or a painted shell.

Example

Noa kept a small trinket from Japan on the shelf above her desk.

trinket from [place] — souvenir context

The market was full of stalls selling cheap trinkets to tourists.

collocation: cheap trinkets

Common collocations
  • cheap trinket
  • little trinket
  • small trinket
  • souvenir trinket
  • silver trinket
  • wooden trinket
  • plastic trinket
Synonyms
  • bauble

    Similar meaning but emphasises showy, flashy appearance rather than low cost

  • ornament

    Broader term — can refer to expensive, fine decorations as well as cheap ones

  • knickknack

    More informal; usually describes small decorative objects for the home, not jewellery

  • keepsake

    Focuses on sentimental value; often not cheap, and the low cost is not part of the meaning

Antonyms
  • heirloom

    A valuable object passed down through generations, the opposite of a cheap trinket

  • treasure

    Something highly valued and prized, with no implication of being inexpensive or trivial

Grammar Patterns

trinket

trinket + from [place]

Usage Note

Often used with a slightly dismissive tone, suggesting that although the item is pretty, it has little monetary or practical value. Common in contexts involving souvenirs, flea markets, gift shops, and costume jewellery.

Common Mistakes

She wore a valuable trinket to the party.
She wore a valuable necklace to the party.
Trinkets are by definition inexpensive; for something costly use a specific jewellery word instead.
He bought a trinket for his car engine.
He bought a small part for his car engine.
Trinkets are decorative, not functional; do not use for mechanical or practical items.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words refer to small decorative objects, but they differ in cost, purpose, and emotional weight. Trinket highlights low monetary value — it is the most neutral term for a cheap, pretty item. Bauble adds a sense of showiness: a bauble is flashy and often gaudy, whereas a trinket can be plain. Ornament is the broadest term, covering both cheap and expensive decorative objects, from a plastic tree decoration to a hand-carved ivory piece. Knickknack is informal and usually describes a small, often useless home decoration, like a porcelain cat on a shelf — it is rarely used for jewellery. Keepsake shifts the focus from cost to sentiment: a keepsake may be worthless to strangers but precious to the owner. Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to emphasise low price (trinket), flashy appearance (bauble), general decoration (ornament), homely informality (knickknack), or emotional value (keepsake).

trinket ↗bauble ↗ornament ↗knickknack ↗keepsake ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • souvenir trinket
  • gift-shop trinket
  • market trinket

Phrases

  • a cheap trinket
  • a little trinket
  • just a trinket

Prepositions

  • trinket from [place]
  • trinket on [surface]

Etymology

Old FrenchEnglish

The origin of 'trinket' is not entirely clear. It first appeared in English around the 1530s, where it referred to a small knife or tool — a very different meaning from today. By the late 1500s the word had shifted to describe small ornaments and pieces of cheap jewellery. Some language historians suggest it may come from an old French word related to 'trick' (in the sense of a trifle or something not serious), but no single source has been confirmed.