gadget

1 of 2

noun (1)

gad·​get ˈga-jət 

: an often small mechanical or electronic device with a practical use but often thought of as a novelty

gadgetry

ˈga-jə-trē 

noun

gadgety

ˈga-jə-tē 

adjective

gadgetry

2 of 2

noun (2)

gad·​get·​ry ˈgajə̇trē 

-ri

plural -es

1

: gadgeteering

the gadgetry of science costs huge sums

—W. A. Noyes, born 1898

2

: gadgets

a world of mechanical gadgetry

—A. C. Fisher

the marvels of modern gadgetry that could reduce hard work to a minimum of effort

—James Aldredge

labor-saving gadgetry

—J. I. Rodale

Synonyms of gadget

Noun (1)

• tool
• appliance
• gizmo
• contraption
• widget
• accessory
• mechanism
• innovation

Examples of gadget in a Sentence

Noun (1)

The kitchen is equipped with all the latest gadgets.

cell phones, pagers, and other gadgets

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Smart wearables can be useful as feedback, but for many senior leaders, the most powerful productivity tool is not another app or gadget. — Marie Holive, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

The showstoppers of summer are the Butter Boy and Butter Girl Corn Butters, fan-favorite gadgets that turn heads at every summer event. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Best Amazon Home Deals Cleaning gadgets, bedding, patio furniture, and more home goods are on sale in spades right now. — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026

The masked hero pops a power-inhibitor gadget on Jean, allowing Damage Control honcho Bill Metzger (Tramell Tillman) to capture her. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

perhaps a sound-symbolic coinage, with final as in fidget entry 1, midget, idjit (nonstandard form of idiot)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1886, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gadget

• areopagite

Kids Definition

gadget

noun

gad·​get ˈgaj-ət 

: an interesting, unfamiliar, or unusual device with a practical use

gadgetry

ˈgaj-ə-trē 

noun