trinket

noun

trin·​ket ˈtriŋ-kət How to pronounce trinket (audio)
1
: a small ornament (such as a jewel or ring)
2
: a small article of equipment
3
: a thing of little value : trifle

Examples of trinket in a Sentence

the top of his desk was littered with trinkets that were collected as souvenirs from various vacations
Recent Examples on the Web But those trinkets come alive when worn by the actors, who are simply superb. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2024 Most of them never see these trophies again as they’re funneled through various buyers, and the antlers are sometimes re-purposed and re-sold as dog chews or trinkets. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 29 Feb. 2024 The party’s over for Party City in Encinitas — the emporium of celebration decor and trinkets is closing. Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2024 In the 1950s, the city’s historic core island held 150,000 inhabitants — a number that dwindled to one-third that size as greengrocers’, butchers’ and fishmongers’ became trinket shops and tourist bars. Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2024 Kathryn Newton stars as Lisa, an odd outcast with a slasher-movie-ready tragic backstory and a predilection for hanging out in the cemetery, leaving trinkets at the grave of a handsome young dead guy. Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2024 Guests can expect reams of suitcases, trinkets, skateboards (yes, skateboards) and Oscars gowns gleaned from the House. Maria Tettamanti, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2024 When an African man selling trinkets on a promenade tries to befriend her, Jacqueline recoils from his gestures of solidarity. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2024 Kathryn Newton stars as Lisa, an odd outcast with a slasher movie-ready tragic backstory and a predilection for hanging out in the cemetery, leaving trinkets at the grave of a handsome young dead guy. Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trinket.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

circa 1527, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of trinket was circa 1527

Dictionary Entries Near trinket

Cite this Entry

“Trinket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trinket. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

trinket

noun
trin·​ket ˈtriŋ-kət How to pronounce trinket (audio)
1
: a small ornament (as a jewel or ring)
2
: a thing of little value

More from Merriam-Webster on trinket

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!