What does tchotchke mean?
Tchotchke is an informal North American noun meaning a small object, usually one that is decorative, unusual, or of little practical importance. It is closely related in meaning to knickknack, trinket, and bauble, but often carries a playful or affectionate tone: describing an object as a tchotchke can suggest that it is a curiosity, a minor treasure, or something amusingly elaborate. The word is especially familiar in Jewish-American English, having entered general usage from Yiddish, although it is now understood by many American speakers. Tchotchkes are commonly associated with souvenir shops, market stalls, collections, and small gifts. Because the term can sound quaint or humorous, it may be especially effective in conversational and descriptive writing, while formal prose will usually prefer terms such as trinket, ornament, or novelty item.
nounA small, often decorative object or trinket; a knickknack. The word can also refer to a small gadget or miscellaneous personal item.
- A small decorative object, trinket, or knickknack.
"She filled the shelves with colorful tchotchkes collected from flea markets across the country."
"The brass compass was an odd little tchotchke that he kept in his jacket pocket."
"Her online shop sells handmade jewelry and other tchotchkes for people who enjoy unusual gifts."
The regular plural adds -s to the singular form.
"The cabinet was crowded with tchotchkes, toys, and other small curiosities."
Its Russian ancestor literally means “little cup,” but in English a tchotchke is any tiny treasure, decorative or otherwise.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of tchotchke
The English word entered use in the early 20th century from Yiddish tshotshke, a diminutive form ultimately derived from Russian chastushka. Russian chastushka was itself formed as a diminutive of chashka, meaning “cup,” and the Russian word came to mean a small or insignificant thing. The semantic development from a tiny vessel or object to a trinket and finally to a general term for a small decorative object occurred as the word passed through Yiddish into English.
How tchotchke is actually used
The term is informal and often affectionate or humorous. It may suggest something small, ornamental, quirky, or of little practical importance, although it can also refer neutrally to a small gadget or novelty item.
Easily confused with tchotchke
Chotchke is an alternative spelling of tchotchke rather than a separate word with a different meaning.