novelty
adj. US //ˈnɑvəɫti// UK //nˈɒvəlti// nov·el·ty
-
1 unusual for fun (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatedescribes something made to be funny or unusual rather than serious.
denoting an item intended to be amusing or unusual, often lacking practical utility. Typically used as an attributive adjective.
ExampleHe wore a novelty tie with dancing penguins to the office party.
ExampleThe company marketed a range of novelty kitchen gadgets that, while visually striking, were notoriously difficult to clean and maintain.
- gimmicky
- quirky
From Middle English novelte, from Old French novelté (Modern French nouveauté), from the adjective novel, ultimately from Latin novellus. By surface analysis, novel + -ty.