trinket

noun

trin·​ket ˈtriŋ-kət 

1

: a small ornament (such as a jewel or ring)

2

: a small article of equipment

3

: a thing of little value : trifle

Synonyms of trinket

• ornamental
• ornament
• souvenir
• bauble

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

Plastic trinkets and graffiti, television sets and bumper stickers, road signs and wigs—many might describe these items as disposable culture, signs of America’s crass habit of regarding anything as art. —Hua Hsu, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026

Books about books, garments from Paloma Wool and Kiko Kostadinov, and trinket-y accessories are just the start, so grab an Americano or homemade cookie from its café menu to aid in your journey. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026

Mystery, surprise and fun fill up trinket trade boxes, and the trend that is popping up on street corners and sidewalks across the country has made its way to Los Angeles. —Laurie Perez, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

Piling up trinkets and artwork creates a lot of visual noise, which can actually hide your home’s best features. —Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

circa 1527, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

trinket

noun

trin·​ket ˈtriŋ-kət 

1

: a small ornament (as a jewel or ring)

2

: a thing of little value