bric-a-brac
C1Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
Assorted small decorative items or ornaments of little value.
Various small ornamental objects, often old or considered to have sentimental rather than monetary value, typically displayed in a home.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strong collective noun connotation; used to describe a group of heterogeneous items, not a single object. Often implies clutter or accumulation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling occasionally varies as 'bric-a-brac' (hyphenated) or 'bric-à-brac' (with accent). Both forms are used in UK; 'bric-a-brac' is more common in US. The concept is identical.
Connotations
UK: often associated with jumble sales, charity shops, antique markets. US: commonly linked to garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores. Connotations of clutter or nostalgic memorabilia are similar.
Frequency
Slightly more common in UK English, but well-established in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N + of + bric-a-bracVerb (e.g., accumulate, collect, display) + bric-a-bracAdjective (e.g., cluttered, laden) + with + bric-a-bracVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a house full of bric-a-brac”
- “to clear out the bric-a-brac”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; possible in antique or second-hand retail contexts.
Academic
Very rare; might appear in cultural or historical studies of material culture.
Everyday
Common in descriptions of household clutter, car boot sales, flea markets.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The bric-a-brac shop was a treasure trove of curios.
- She has a bric-a-brac style of decorating.
American English
- The bric-a-brac market is on Sundays.
- It was a bric-a-brac-filled room.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Her shelf has lots of bric-a-brac.
- I saw some bric-a-brac at the market.
- The table was covered in old bric-a-brac.
- She collects bric-a-brac from her travels.
- After clearing the attic, we found boxes full of dusty bric-a-brac.
- The antique shop had a fascinating assortment of bric-a-brac in the window.
- Her minimalist aesthetic rejected the Victorian propensity for cluttered bric-a-brac.
- The stall was a jumble of assorted bric-a-brac, from porcelain figurines to tarnished spoons.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'brick-a-brack' – imagine a brick wall covered in small, brackish (old, rusty) decorative items.
Conceptual Metaphor
VALUABLE OBJECTS ARE HEAVY / WORTHLESS OBJECTS ARE LIGHT. Bric-a-brac is metaphorically 'light' – insubstantial, trivial.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'хлам' (rubbish, junk) – bric-a-brac often has sentimental or decorative intent.
- Не путать с 'антиквариат' (antiques) – bric-a-brac is usually not valuable.
- Близкий русский эквивалент – 'безделушки', 'мелочи'.
Common Mistakes
- Using as a countable noun (e.g., 'a bric-a-brac'). It is uncountable/collective.
- Confusing with 'brickbrac' or misspelling as 'brick-a-brack'.
- Using to describe a single item.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'bric-a-brac' primarily refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but can carry a slightly negative connotation of clutter or worthlessness, or a positive connotation of charming nostalgia, depending on context.
It's possible but unusual. It's more associated with domestic spaces. Office clutter might be called 'desk knick-knacks' or simply 'clutter'.
Antiques are old and often valuable. Bric-a-brac is often old but is characterised by its lack of significant monetary value, though it may have sentimental value.
It is neutral but slightly literary. In very formal writing, 'ornaments', 'decorative objects', or 'curios' might be preferred.