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bibelot

noun
bi·​be·​lot | \ ˈbē-bə-ˌlō How to pronounce bibelot (audio) \
plural bibelots\ ˈbē-​bə-​ˌlō(z) How to pronounce bibelots (audio) \

Definition of bibelot

: a small household ornament or decorative object : trinket
Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about bibelot

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Did You Know?

Can you think of a six-letter synonym of bibelot that starts with the letter "g"? No? How about an eight-letter one? Crossword puzzle whizzes might guess that the words we are thinking of are gewgaw and gimcrack. But bibelot, which English speakers borrowed from French in the late 1800s, has uses beyond wordplay. In addition to its general use as a synonym of trinket, it can refer specifically to a miniature book of elegant design (such as those made by Tiffany and Faberge). It also appears regularly in the names of things as diverse as restaurants and show dogs.

Examples of bibelot in a Sentence

practically every horizontal surface in the Victorian parlor was blanketed with fussy little bibelots

Recent Examples on the Web

 Well, nobody ever brought in any bibelot on Dominique. — William Middleton, Town & Country, "How the De Menil Family Raised Good Taste to an Art Form," 7 Mar. 2018 Inside there is a small desk with a computer; a bookshelf is adorned with bibelots and certificates of appreciation with her name in fancy script. — New York Times, "Once-Thriving City Nonprofit Sputters Under Mayor’s Wife, Chirlane McCray," 29 May 2018 Oh, if only Trump had a crystal ball among those Bedminster bibelots! — Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, "Donald Trump in Houston: “Have A Good Time Everybody”," 3 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bibelot.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of bibelot

1873, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for bibelot

French

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