gubbins
Britishnoun
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(functioning as singular) an object of little or no value
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(functioning as singular) a small device or gadget
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(functioning as plural) odds and ends; litter or rubbish
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(functioning as singular) a silly person
Etymology
Origin of gubbins
C16 (meaning: fragments): from obsolete gobbon, probably related to gobbet
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.
No longer can it be merely enjoyed for what it is – a couple of hours of well-meaning, gently funny sentimental gubbins with an all-star cast.
From The Guardian
Things would be more efficient if the gubbins could be dispensed with and a rocket designed that consists of only payload, motor and propellants.
From Economist
On top of this, instead of using an automatic gearbox stuffed with all the gubbins for nine speeds, as some now are, a car could have fewer gears and use torque-assist to fill the gaps.
From Economist
The presidential candidate has a reputation for “speaking his mind”, which, in social media terms, often means “tweeting bizarre, unfiltered gubbins”.
From The Guardian
All of this is perfectly normal financial decision making gubbins.
From Forbes
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.
