doodad

American  

[doo-dad] / ˈduˌdæd /

Or do-dad

noun

Informal.

1. a decorative embellishment; trinket; bauble.

   a dress covered with doodads.

2. a gadget; device.

   a kitchen full of the latest doodads.

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Usage

What does doodad mean? Doodad 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 doodad here. It’s often used with a modifier describing the kind of thing, as in Where’s that plastic doodad?There are several other similarly informal words that are used in the same way, including the very similar doodah as well as doohickey, dingus, thingy, thingamajig, thingamabob, whachamacallit, and whatsit.Doodad is also used to mean a trinket, bauble, or some kind of decorative item or part of something.Example: My kids got me one of those doodads that track your steps. What’s it called? A stepometer?

Etymology

Origin of doodad

First recorded in 1900–05; gradational compound based on dial. dad piece, flake

Example Sentences

We were bracing for tariffs that would increase the prices of nearly every electronic doodad this year.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Yuletide Factory,” a circus show at the New Victory Theater, splits the difference, locating its cheer inside a sweatshop churning out seasonal doodads.

From New York Times

On Sept. 22, hundreds of Pearce students wore mums festooned with ribbons, feathers, teddy bears, cowbells, whistles and various other doodads.

From Seattle Times

He describes all the doodads in his digital workshop as “enchanted objects,” and cites the science-fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke, who wrote, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

From New York Times

A merchant or a street performer doesn’t have to buy a special cash register or another pricey doodad to take money that isn’t cash.

From Washington Post