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.

It is only a matter of time before a flood of Juneteenth trinkets, tchotchkes, doodads and gewgaws shows up on store shelves.

From Washington Post

I’m skeptical about wine gewgaws that promise instant gratification, such as aerators that were all the rage a few years ago.

From Washington Post

Its budget shows, in the negative sense, and its best points are to be found here and there in small things — individual performances, selected exchanges and assorted old gewgaws and gadgets that decorate the screen.

From Los Angeles Times

Rose Byrne is the rapidly decompensating Medea of this stylishly updated version at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, replete with such modernizing gewgaws as roving cameras and giant video screens.

From Washington Post

And how nice to see Cynthia Erivo — to really see the woman and not have her overwhelmed by an elaborate mishmash of ruffles and gewgaws.

From Washington Post

gewgaw

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

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