whatsis

American  

[hwuhts-is, hwots-, wuhts-, wots-] / ˈʰwʌts ɪs, ˈʰwɒts-, ˈwʌts-, ˈwɒts- /

noun

Informal.

1. a thing or object whose name one does not know or cannot recall.

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Usage

What does whatsis mean? Whatsis 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 whatsis here. The word is also sometimes used to refer to things that are not physical objects, such as events, types of media, or abstract concepts. It’s not typically used to refer to people (terms used for this purpose include what’s-her-name, what’s-his-name, and what’s-their-name).There are several other similarly informal words that are used in the same way, including the very similar term whatsit as well as whachamacallit, what-do-you-call-it, thingamajig, thingamabob, thingy, doohickey, and doodad.Example: My kids got me a whatsis that tracks your steps. What’s it called? A stepometer?

Etymology

Origin of whatsis

Reduction of what's this

Example Sentences

A lesser job would be infra dig for a person whose highest accomplishment is being the whatsis of Mayor Bloomberg. — jeanne spivey June 28, 2010 7:44 pm She’s a fool is she thinks anyone would vote for her.

From New York Times

The public has taken this relatively new scientific whatsis home on approval, but has not yet bought it.

From Time Magazine Archive

But Dane learns from the doctors that he has given her an inoperable whatsis, of which she is bound to die�suddenly and soon.

From Time Magazine Archive

Related Words

• appliance
• device
• gear
• gizmo
• machine
• machinery
• means
• mechanism