Vocabulary Spotlight

Bauble

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A small, showy trinket or decoration with little real value.

“The little bauble she bought at the fair added a playful touch to her room.”

Pronunciation

[baw-buhl]

Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words

Synonyms

Trinket
Knickknack
Ornament
Toy
Curio

Antonyms

Valuable
Treasure
Heirloom
Precious
Jewel

Related Words

Baubly (adj.)
Adornment
Decor

Word Origin

The word “bauble” originated from the Old French “baubel,” which refers to a child’s toy or plaything. It evolved to mean a small, decorative item, often something of little intrinsic value.

Word Family

Noun: Bauble – A small trinket or ornament.

Adjective: Baubly – Resembling or relating to a bauble.

Mnemonics

Think of “Bauble” as “B-Bubble” – like a fragile, small item with little value, similar to a decorative trinket.

Industry-specific Usage

Retail

In retail, baubles refer to inexpensive decorative items, often sold around holiday seasons as ornaments or trinkets.

Fashion

In fashion, baubles may describe costume jewelry or inexpensive accessories that add flair to an outfit without significant cost.

Interior Design

Interior decorators may use baubles to add color and texture to a space, often choosing small decorative items to complement larger pieces.

In Context

Baubles are often associated with holiday decorations, where they add festive cheer to spaces. Although they may lack high value, they play a meaningful role in enhancing visual appeal and setting the mood in both personal and commercial settings.

Vocabulary Challenges

1. Which word is most similar to “bauble”?

Heirloom
Treasure
Gemstone
Trinket

“Trinket” is the closest synonym, as it describes a small, showy item of little value.

2. Fill in the blank: She decorated her bag with a colorful _______ from the market.

bauble
treasure
heirloom
jewel

“Bauble” is correct, as it refers to a decorative item of little value.

3. A “bauble” is LEAST likely to be:

A holiday ornament
A decorative trinket
A family heirloom
An inexpensive accessory

“A family heirloom” is the least likely, as a bauble generally refers to inexpensive, decorative items with little real value.