Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

whatsit

noun
what·​sit | \ ˈhwät-sət How to pronounce whatsit (audio) , ˈwät-, ˈ(h)wət-\
variants: or less commonly whatsis \ ˈhwät-​səs How to pronounce whatsis (audio) , ˈwät-​ , ˈ(h)wət-​ \ or what-is-it \ ˈhwät-​iz-​ət How to pronounce what-is-it (audio) , ˈwät-​ , ˈ(h)wət-​ \

Definition of whatsit

: thingamajig
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about whatsit

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of whatsit in a Sentence

there's always one random whatsit left over every time I put a bookcase together

Recent Examples on the Web

 The numbers of whosits and the intensity of the whatsits really does depend on who is running. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "Fox News Power Rankings: Candidates still count," 24 Aug. 2018 Thirty-seven percent of whosits voting at a greater intensity than 41 percent of whatsits, etc. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "Fox News Power Rankings: Candidates still count," 24 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whatsit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of whatsit

circa 1882, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for whatsit

whatsit & whatsis contraction of what-is-it

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about whatsit

Statistics for whatsit

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for whatsit

The first known use of whatsit was circa 1882

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for whatsit

whatsit

noun
How to pronounce whatsit (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of whatsit

informal : something whose name you have forgotten or do not know

See the full definition for whatsit in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on whatsit

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for whatsit

Comments on whatsit

What made you want to look up whatsit? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

commemorate

Listen to the pronounciation of commemorate

to mark by some ceremony or observation

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

  • stylized drawing of woman pole vaulting across gap to get trophy
  • Which is a synonym of fuliginous?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games