bric-a-brac

noun

ˈbri-kə-ˌbrak How to pronounce bric-a-brac (audio)
plural bric-a-brac
Synonyms of bric-a-bracnext
1
: a miscellaneous collection of small articles commonly of ornamental or sentimental value : curios
2
: something suggesting bric-a-brac especially in extraneous decorative quality

Examples of bric-a-brac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Uncle Herschel is back, but his bric-a-brac may stay in the landfill. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025 Cracker Barrel’s decor harkens back to a time of family restaurants with bric-a-brac covering the walls. — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025 Clean Up Your Mess To be fair, some booths at antiques stores are a hot mess, with junk piled high like bric-a-brac Jenga. — Josh Miller, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2026 Girlfriend scales the diaristic, bric-a-brac charm of Janky Star into a high-drama pop monument to trying, flopping, and trying even harder next time. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bric-a-brac

Word History

Etymology

French bric-à-brac

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bric-a-brac was in 1830

Rhymes for bric-a-brac

See All Rhymes for bric-a-brac

Browse Nearby Words

Bribri
bric-a-brac
bricht
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bric-a-brac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bric-a-brac. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bric-a-brac

noun
ˈbrik-ə-ˌbrak
: small ornamental articles

More from Merriam-Webster on bric-a-brac

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bric-a-brac

Nglish: Translation of bric-a-brac for Spanish Speakers

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