gadget

[gaj-it]

noun

1. a mechanical contrivance or device; any ingenious article.

   Synonyms: thingamajig, doohickey, whatsis, contraption

gadget

/ ˈɡædʒɪt /

noun

1. a small mechanical device or appliance

2. any object that is interesting for its ingenuity or novelty rather than for its practical use

Other Word Forms

• gadgety adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gadget¹

1850–55; origin uncertain; compare French gâchette the catch of a lock, sear of a gunlock

Word History and Origins

Origin of gadget¹

C19: perhaps from French gâchette lock catch, trigger, diminutive of gâche staple

Example Sentences

It’s for any typist in your life, especially millennials nostalgic for the see-through gadgets.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Chi Vibes compact steamer – The Chi Vibes compact steamer is a handy travel gadget that proves really useful when needed.

Read more on Salon

Shoppers could face higher prices for phones, laptops and other gadgets next year, manufacturers and analysts warn, as AI data centres hoover up memory chips used in consumer electronics.

Read more on Barron's

Her doorbell camera captured footage of a gang using a gadget outside her property.

Read more on BBC

Physically imposing and extensively equipped with futuristic gadgets, they recategorize humanity from the supposed “most dangerous game” to overly confident meat.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• apparatus 
• appliance 
• contraption 
• gimmick 
• gizmo 
• object 
• tool 
• utensil 
• widget