widget

Meaning

1. A placeholder name for an unnamed, unspecified, or hypothetical manufactured good or product, typically as an example for purposes of explaining concepts.
2. A floating device inside a beer can, meant to create foam when opened.
3. A small scraping tool consisting of a blade and a handle, commonly used to remove paint from glass and other smooth surfaces.
4. (informal) Synonym of tool, implement, device, gadget, part

Synonyms

gizmo

gismo

gadget

thingummy

doodad

appliance

contraption

thingumajig

whatchamacallum

contrivance

convenience

doohickey

gimmick

whatchamacallit

gubbins

thingamabob

whatsis

doojigger

thingmabob

thingmajig

thingamajig

thingumabob

gear

⚙️

equipment

product

concern

apparate

device

thingy

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈwɪd͡ʒ.ɪt/

Etymology

Coined by American playwright George S. Kaufman in 1924 in his play Beggar on Horseback (1924).