tchotchke

USAGE SUMMARY

The word “tchotchke” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small, usually cheap, decorative item. For example, “My grandmother loves collecting tchotchkes from all over the world.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"Pardon me!" The line accordioned; I emerged into the tchotchke shop.

The New Yorker

For that matter, I didn't know why the tchotchke shop had chosen this location in the first place; I never saw anybody shop there.

The New Yorker

It was unclear to me why the tchotchke shop had been chosen as the pickup point.

The New Yorker

Bleary-eyed parents, packed in alongside their children at the new sequel "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" — the tale of an Egyptian tchotchke that brings a museum's exhibits to life every night — may sit up one touch less bleary-eyed as they see on the screen, among the whizzing biplanes and marauding Egyptian warriors, a handful of newly enlivened works of blue-chip modern art.

The New Yorker

You had to come here, to this little tchotchke shop that shared an entrance with the children's used-clothing store, where the Breadman set up his table at precisely ten-thirty — or, rather, half an hour before that, if you wanted to get the focaccia, which couldn't be reserved beforehand, and was bestowed only upon the prompt.

The New Yorker

Zeppelin put a mysterious black tchotchke on the cover of "Presence" that had nothing to do with the blues but was wicked creepy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Previously home to a cheap Thai restaurant, the corner space is now sleek and spare, more dressed-up Danish than Balaboosta's tchotchke-filled dining room.

The New Yorker

Nothing about the office décor — gray carpeting, black Aeron chairs, yucca palm, tchotchke-free desk, framed posters promoting Sony's online music service — revealed anything about the occupant.

The New Yorker

"I ran away from antiques and instead was always tchotchke-ing things up".

The New York Times

Three artists apply stitching to sculpture: Cyrilla Mozenter, in boxlike forms made from industrial wool and felt; Janet Henry, on a three-dimensional, tchotchke-bespangled character she calls Assimilata Lefkowitz; and Elisa D'Arrigo, in gnarly, boulderlike wall reliefs made from painted cloth and paper.

The New York Times - Arts

He grew famous for his signature brand of cheerful, figurative graffiti, which started in the subways and streets of New York and quickly became tchotchke-ized, making its way onto every portable item imaginable: watches, water bottles, T-shirts, yo-yos.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tchotchke" when you want to refer to a small, often inexpensive and decorative item, especially one that is considered somewhat trivial or kitschy. It adds a specific cultural flavor to your writing, suggesting a Yiddish origin and a sense of endearment or amusement.

Common error

Avoid using "tchotchke" in formal or serious contexts where its inherent connotation of triviality might be inappropriate. Opt for more neutral terms like "ornament" or "decorative item" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The word "tchotchke" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a small, decorative item or souvenir. As Ludwig AI confirms, this word is correct and usable. Examples show it describing items in shops or personal collections.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "tchotchke" is a noun referring to a small, decorative item or souvenir, often of little value. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, its Yiddish origin lends a slightly informal and whimsical feel. Related terms include "knick-knack" and "trinket". Use "tchotchke" to add a specific cultural flavor to your writing, suggesting endearment or amusement. According to the many examples provided by Ludwig, this word is very common and broadly understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

knick-knack

A general term for a small, ornamental object.

trinket

A small ornament of little value.

knickknack

A minor decorative article displayed in a house

bauble

A showy trinket or decoration.

curio

An unusual or rare object, typically small.

ornament

An object used for decoration.

gewgaw

A showy trifle, especially one of little value.

oddment

An unusual or curious item

thingamajig

A thing whose name one does not know or has forgotten

dust collector

Informal term for objects that serve little purpose other than collecting dust

FAQs

How can I use "tchotchke" in a sentence?

You can use "tchotchke" to describe a small, decorative item, like in the sentence: "The shelves were filled with various "knick-knacks" and "trinkets", each a little "tchotchke" from her travels."

What's the origin of the word "tchotchke"?

"Tchotchke" comes from Yiddish, ultimately derived from a Slavic word for trinket. Knowing this origin adds cultural context to its usage.

Is "tchotchke" a formal word?

No, "tchotchke" is generally considered an informal word. It's best used in casual conversation or writing, not in formal or academic contexts.

What is the difference between ""tchotchke"" and "ornament"?

While both refer to decorative items, "ornament" is a more general term. A ""tchotchke"" is typically smaller, less valuable, and often carries a connotation of being slightly kitschy or trivial.