bauble

[baw-buhl]

noun

1. a showy, usually cheap, ornament; trinket; gewgaw.

2. a jester's scepter.

bauble

/ ˈbɔːbəl /

noun

1. a showy toy or trinket of little value; trifle

2. Usual US name: Christmas ornament. a small, usually spherical ornament made of coloured or decorated material which is hung from the branches of a Christmas tree

3. (formerly) a mock staff of office carried by a court jester

Word History and Origins

Origin of bauble¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English babel, babulle, from Old French babel, baubel, derivatives of an expressive base with varying vocalisms; compare Old French baubelet “little trinket”; bibelot

Word History and Origins

Origin of bauble¹

C14: from Old French baubel plaything, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

At the Oval Office, he also loves to host those who have presented him with shiny baubles — like Apple CEO Tim Cook, who had given him a gold trophy with his company’s logo on it.

From Salon

A Christmas tree was dusted off, tinsel and baubles were unpacked, and the hotel was decked out with decorations.

From BBC

He does this by flashing shiny, fleeting baubles that further his parochial interests, while more consequential matters drift by like a passing cloud, unnoticed – leaving the hard, complex stuff to fade into neglect.

From Salon

This was, that meaningless bauble aside, a season of relative failure.

From BBC

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has stated the American dream depends on the creation of new jobs and affordable mortgages and cars, not “cheap baubles from China.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• knickknack 
• trinket