gadget

American  

[gaj-it] / ˈgædʒ ɪt /

noun

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

   Synonyms:

   thingamajig, doohickey, whatsis, contraption

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gadget British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• gadgety adjective

Etymology

Origin of gadget

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

Example Sentences

AARP’s Miller says there’s no shortage of gadgets to help older adults stay in their homes safely, but we’re still far from an easy fix.

From The Wall Street Journal

Rocky Lee, who uses TikTok and other sites to sell Chinese digital gadgets and pet products to buyers overseas, was relieved by the US deal.

From Barron's

Previously, she covered consumer trends in the Journal’s Life & Work bureau and edited the gear and gadgets section for the Off Duty weekend features section.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ndedi, from Cameroon, uses her acrobatic skills for the most elaborate escapes, Cryptic is the hacker from Kenya and Congolese Fred is the getaway driver and gadget maker.

From BBC

She also has explored the privacy implications of artificial intelligence tools and what happens when connected gadgets reach the end of their lives.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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