thingy

American  

[thing-ee] / ˈθɪŋ i /

noun

plural

thingies

1. Facetious. any small item whose name is unknown or forgotten.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of inanimate objects.

Usage

What does thingy mean? Whachamacallit is a very informal word for an object whose name you don’t know, have forgotten, or can’t recall at the moment. It’s often used to refer to gadgets or parts of things that might not even have a commonly known name, as in Before we attach the bracket, we have to insert this thingy here. Thingy is sometimes used even if you know the name of the thing you’re referring to, as in I’ve got a whole boxful of these thingies—take as many as you want. The word is also sometimes used to refer to things that are not physical objects, such as events, types of media, or abstract concepts. Thingy is often used with a modifier describing the kind of thing, as in Where’s that plastic thingy? or I have to attend a work thingy tonight. The word thinger can be used in the same way. There are several other similarly informal words that are used in the same way, including thingamajig, thingamabob, thingy, whachamacallit, whatsit, doohickey, and doodad. Example: My kids got me one of those thingies that track your steps. What’s it called? A stepometer?

Etymology

Origin of thingy

1885–90 thingy for def. 1; 1890–95 thingy for def. 2; thing ¹ + -y ², -y ¹

Explanation

Any item — usually a small object — whose name you can't remember (or just don't know) can be called a thingy. Obviously, it's some sort of thing, but adding a -y is almost like giving it a friendly nickname. The word thingy sounds cutesy, but it's a useful word when you're stuck. Don't know the name of that tool in the drawer, but you need it to get the last olive out of the skinny jar? Ask me if I'll hand you the thingy with the blue handle. Chances are I'll look in the drawer and see what you mean! Thingies often need a little description. If I ask for one of those stretchy thingies used to make a ponytail, would you understand?

Example Sentences

About that whatever-it-is tournament thingy, he would have said, not in his rafters.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2025

Prey Rated R for flesh-eating rats, rapacious Frenchmen and a thingy from outer space.

From New York Times • Aug. 4, 2022

Bill gets a meringue cake thingy that makes me break out in a cold sweat simply from looking at it.

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2022

“Didn’t the contest nearly go horribly wrong in the summer,” emails Andrew Benton, “when Verstappen’s wheel went over the top of Lewis’ cockpit, his life being saved by the new protrusion thingy?

From The Guardian • Dec. 12, 2021

His gaze catches on the kitchenette thingy as he faces forward.

From "Clean Getaway" by Nic Stone