contrivance

American  

[kuhn-trahy-vuhns] / kənˈtraɪ vəns /

noun

1. something contrived; contrived; a device, especially a mechanical one.

2. the act or manner of contriving; the faculty or power of contriving.

3. a plan or scheme; expedient.

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contrivance British  

/ kənˈtraɪvəns /

noun

1. something contrived, esp an ingenious device; contraption

2. the act or faculty of devising or adapting; inventive skill or ability

3. an artificial rather than natural selection or arrangement of details, parts, etc

4. an elaborate or deceitful plan or expedient; stratagem

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Other Word Forms

• noncontrivance noun
• precontrivance noun

Etymology

Origin of contrivance

First recorded in 1620–30; contrive + -ance

Example Sentences

And when the star is a legend on the level of Reiner, the contrivance can be even riskier.

From Salon • Dec. 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

As the prosecution described it, the case that faces a man who made his Hollywood name with the artificial drama of “The Apprentice” needs no contrivance.

From New York Times • Apr. 22, 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

Related Words

• artifice
• gimmick
• ruse