contrivance
Americannoun
-
something contrived; a device, especially a mechanical one.
-
the act or manner of contriving; the faculty or power of contriving.
-
a plan or scheme; expedient.
noun
-
something contrived, esp an ingenious device; contraption
-
the act or faculty of devising or adapting; inventive skill or ability
-
an artificial rather than natural selection or arrangement of details, parts, etc
-
an elaborate or deceitful plan or expedient; stratagem
Other Word Forms
- noncontrivance noun
- precontrivance noun
Etymology
Origin of contrivance
Explanation
A contrivance is a gadget or device that can be used for some particular purpose. The spinning blade of a blender is a contrivance that turns fruits and yogurt into a tasty smoothie. Yum. A contrivance is a useful device or tool. It might be assembled or invented, and it's often mechanical, although you can really refer to anything that's made for a specific purpose as a contrivance. The word sometimes also implies a falseness or obviousness, like the contrivance of a spy's very fake-looking beard that's supposed to disguise him, or the contrivance of a novel's complicated, unbelievable plot.
Vocabulary lists containing contrivance
"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"'Blaxicans' and Other Reinvented Americans," Vocabulary from the argument
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Bless Me, Ultima
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And when the star is a legend on the level of Reiner, the contrivance can be even riskier.
From Salon • Dec. 21, 2025
Most market meltdowns have been triggered by some unique new financial contrivance.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2025
But while the revelation that brings the play to a painful climax has a faint whiff of contrivance about it, the angry confrontation that ensues between Nelson and Nick has a bruising, brutal power.
From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 26, 2025
There is one slight contrivance later in the film to set up its final act, but it's arguably a necessary one to set the stage for the film's dramatic conclusion.
From BBC • Oct. 11, 2024
He is average-sized and prematurely gray, but by some contrivance of carriage and posture, he makes the men who stand before him feel smaller.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
