appliance

appliance

noun

Definition of APPLIANCE

1

an interesting and often novel device with a practical use <since the invention of the cork, all manner of appliances have been invented for the extraction of these sometimes troublesome stoppers>

Synonyms appliance, contraption, contrivance, gimmick, gizmo (also gismo), jigger, widget

Related Words implement, instrument, tool, utensil; ingenuity, innovation, invention; accessory (also accessary), adjunct; mechanism, trick; dingus, doodad, doohickey, hickey, hootenanny [chiefly dialect], thingamabob, thingamajig (or thingumajig), thingummy

2

something that is not necessary in itself but adds to the convenience or performance of the main piece of equipment <an appliance that allows the machine to be used as a sander>

Synonyms accoutrement (or accouterment), adapter (also adaptor), add-on, adjunct, appendage, appliance, attachment, option

Related Words accompaniment, additive, complement, supplement; auxiliary, subsidiary; amenity, doodad, embroidery, extra, filler, frill, incidental, luxury, nonessential, nonnecessity; appurtenances, bells and whistles, equipment, furnishings, habiliment(s), paraphernalia, trappings; adornment, decoration, embellishment, enhancement, garnish, ornament, trim, trimming

Near Antonyms essential, necessity, requirement, requisite