desk ornament

Cubicle shelf filler

A desk ornament is a small decorative object displayed on a desk or workspace—a figurine, paperweight, miniature sculpture, or novelty item.

Desk ornaments personalize work environments and sometimes serve as conversation pieces: She collected desk ornaments from every country she visited.

The term can also describe someone given a position with no real responsibilities.

Related

bobblehead · lucky cat · globe · pen holder · statuette · miniature · curio · conversation piece · keepsake · memento · nameplate · crystal · sculpture · collectible · souvenir · Buddha · succulent · photo frame

Opposites
function/utility

desk ornamentoffice equipment

Tools for workplace tasks

computer · keyboard · telephone · stapler · printer

essential vs. superfluous

desk ornamentcritical apparatus

Scholarly notes on textual variants

Family

desk, ornament, desks, desking, desked, ornaments, ornamental, ornamentation, ornamentally

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G