kickshaw

noun

ˈkik-ˌshȯ How to pronounce kickshaw (audio)
Definition of kickshawnext
1
as in ornamental
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest a display case in the antiques shop filled with costume jewelry and various kickshaws from the 1920s

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in treat
something that is pleasing to eat because it is rare or a luxury the company's holiday party always features an array of artfully confected kickshaws

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kickshaw
  1. ornamental
  2. treat
  3. ornament
Noun
  • That framing, functional over ornamental, marks a clear departure from the resort-style aesthetic that dominated the late pandemic years.
    — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Late-Modern architect focuses on a sleek design with minimal ornamentals.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of ornamental
Noun
  • It's filled with favorite foods, drinks and treats — from Mexican Coke to Ecuadorian sodas — honoring people as individuals.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Pack a Wilder Townhouse basket of treats to take with you for a picnic.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of treat
Noun
  • It’s made from wood and comes with the calendar, which is filled with 24 ornaments to add a new one to the branches each day.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Scarabs, serpents, vultures, lunar ornaments, ancient gods like Horus and Anubis carved from gold and lapis lazuli—all strategically placed on various points along the body.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of ornament
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

kicks butt
kickshaw
kickshaws
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Kickshaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kickshaw. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of shindig

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All