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

Derived Forms

• ˈgadgety, adjective

Other Words From

• gadg·et·y [gaj, -i-tee], 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

Miter saws come equipped with all the gadgets to help you make the most precise cut, including lasers, measuring setting, and more.

From Popular-Science

“It’s kind of a summary, an algebraic gadget that incorporates the essence of the space you want to study,” said Clément Dupont, a mathematician at the University of Montpellier in France.

From Quanta Magazine

Using the gadgets to capture and analyze speech and text patterns could act as an early warning system.

From MIT Technology Review

Today’s wearable electronics include gadgets strapped to the body, such as watches and fitness trackers.

From Science News For Students

Connected TV makes it easy for people to consume video content, how they like, and where they want, via Internet-connected gadgets.

From Search Engine Watch

The estimated ship date of the gadget is December 2014—perfect timing to say sayonara to smoking forever.

From The Daily Beast

Anova Precision Cooker is the perfect little sous-vide gadget for the budding gastronomist.

From The Daily Beast

I got my hands on an exclusive early test run of the Amiigo, a health gadget that automatically tracks gym exercises.

From The Daily Beast

The gadget goes for $75 and can be reused nearly 40 times before the battery needs to be recharged.

From The Daily Beast

Kids today, just like adults, are more sedentary, glued to videogames and every tech gadget with a screen.

From The Daily Beast

Then, if you happen to stub your toe over some useful gadget, they increase your pay.

From Project Gutenberg

It was decided that Gadget, a rather miserable animal, who had shown herself useless as a puller thus far, should be killed.

From Project Gutenberg

Either they were going to get tired of putting new tubes into that gadget, or play it softer, or move.

From Project Gutenberg

Stuffing the gadget into his mouth, he turned and began jabbering orders.

From Project Gutenberg

We can get anything we want in the whole library if I understand the operation of this gadget the way I think I do.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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