gewgaw

[gyoo-gaw, goo-] / ˈgyu gɔ, ˈgu- /

NOUN

trinket

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bauble trifle trinket

STRONG

bagatelle bibelot gaud gimcrack item knickknack memento souvenir toy whatnot

WEAK

conversation piece curio curiosity objet d'art

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for gewgaw?

A gewgaw is a useless trinket—a bauble or trifle. More common words that mean the same thing are knickknack and tchotchke. Another similar term is gimcrack. The word bric-a-brac can be used to refer to such items collectively. Gewgaws are usually decorations or ornaments—they typically don’t serve a function other than being something nice to look at. In other words, their purpose is to be displayed (such as on desks, bookshelves, or mantels). Gewgaw and its close synonyms all often imply an object that’s relatively small, inexpensive, and often tacky or gaudy. However, any of these terms might be used to refer to an object regardless of how expensive it was simply to suggest that it’s a mostly useless trinket. Still, some people might use such terms affectionately. Some other terms that refer to small objects displayed for their aesthetic value are generally more positive than gewgaw and its close synonyms. Terms such as curio, curiosity, bibelot, and objet d’art (art object) often imply a sense of tastefulness, artfulness, or quality.

What is another word for gewgaw?

The first records of the word gewgaw come from around 1200. Its ultimate origin is uncertain, but it may derive from French.

How do you pronounce gewgaw?

Gewgaw is pronounced GYOO-gaw or GOO-gaw.

How do you use gewgaw in a sentence?

Gewgaw is an informal word, and it’s often at least mildly negative. It’s much less commonly used than some of its synonyms (like trinket, knickknack, and tchotchke). Here are some examples of gewgaw in a sentence:

The house was full of little gewgaws—they were shelves full of them everywhere you looked.
I prefer a clean, minimalist style, without a bunch of gewgaws cluttering up the space.
This old brass gewgaw is worth how much?!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In 2017, she arranged to have a ceremonial resin “orb,” apparently a gewgaw given to donors and other honorees that she designed, delivered to Epstein.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2024

This apparent stance toward art is at once moronic and apt; moronic because it reduces art to a mere gewgaw, apt because other entrepreneurs have already embraced this view.

From New York Times • Dec. 1, 2021

A few years ago, apparently based on some agreement that Americans were seriously lacking monograms, retailers decided that any gewgaw that could be mailed, toted or gifted was worthy of an emphatic initial or three.

From Washington Post • Dec. 11, 2015

One almost has the sense that Gady would be content to see La Samaritaine remain shuttered—sooner, at least, than see it become one more glittering gewgaw in the doll’s house.

From The New Yorker • Dec. 1, 2014

Half the stately interior of that glorious thirteenth century pile is encrusted and overlaid by hideous gewgaw monstrosities of the flashiest Bernini and baroque period.

From Post-Prandial Philosophy by Allen, Grant

gewgaw

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

Vocabulary lists containing gewgaw

Among the Hidden

Walden

Grendel

gewgaw

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

Related Words

Vocabulary lists containing gewgaw

Among the Hidden

Walden

Grendel