bauble

Everyday

1. A shiny ball or decoration hung on a Christmas tree. tree →
2. A small, cheap piece of jewellery or a pretty object of little value. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, especially in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, baubles are Christmas tree decorations. In stories it can describe cheap trinkets, sometimes to show that someone values worthless things. Phrases: "Christmas baubles", "glass baubles", "a mere bauble".

Examples

• We hung red and gold baubles on the Christmas tree. tree →
• The cat knocked a glass bauble off the branch. tree →
• In art we painted our own baubles. tree →
• The queen's crown was real gold, not a cheap bauble. tree →
• She bought a little bauble at the market stall. tree →
• Be careful: broken baubles can cut your fingers. tree →
• She brings her gift with her, whether it is a world or a bauble. tree →

Note

Countable: a bauble, baubles. In American English people often say "ornament" for a Christmas bauble. Sounds like "BAW-bul".