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doodad

doodad

7 8.7
A small thing or device whose name you do not know
  • noun
  • /ˈduːˌdæd/
  • Informal
: cachivache
  • We'll tote your doodads over to Fort Pitt.
  • little doodad
  • other doodads
  • doodads or gadgets

They've got this little doodad on on one, one side of it, a little computer thing.

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Examples

  • Ooh, what's this little doodad do?

  • On Christmas morning, Nelson had found this same unidentifiable doodad, now elaborately wrapped inside a velvet jewel box in the bottom of his Christmas stocking.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • I got a silver doodad from Africa.

  • Who would throw away such a cute little doodad? -

  • "What are you going to do with your old doodads?" I asked her.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • These are just the doodads.

  • Then we can sit down on the floor and go through these doodads.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • P126 walked through my mother's house, picking up doodads, trying to remember each figurine and framed photograph.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • One held school supplies, the other contained stereo equipment—wires, wire cutters, leads, heads, and an assemblage of doodads that Decker couldn't identify.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • I found an interesting little doodad while cleaning the garage.

Synonyms

thingy
vsdoodad
  • Informal
75 8.4

An informal word for an object when you forget its name

is narrower, emphasising small gadgets rather than ideas or broad things
widget
vsdoodad
59 5.1

A small useful thing or tool for a particular job

is less example-focused and simply means any unnamed small object
gizmo
vsdoodad
  • Informal
56 7.1

A small device or tool whose name you do not know

is the same idea but more general for any small unnamed object
doohickey
vsdoodad
  • Informal
11 9.9

A small object whose name you do not know

is the same idea but can apply to more general unnamed objects
dingus
vsdoodad
  • Slang
7 9.6

An informal word for an object or person whose name you cannot remember

is similar but slightly more neutral and less slangy in tone
whatchamacallit
vsdoodad
  • Informal
7 9.9

A word for an object whose name you do not know

is more specific to gadget or small device meanings rather than any object
thingie
vsdoodad
  • Informal
6 9.2

A simple word for an object you cannot remember the name of

focuses more on small devices specifically rather than any object
gimmick
vsdoodad
  • Informal
6 5.6

A small object whose name you cannot remember

is simpler, meaning any unnamed small device without trick or show
thingamajig
vsdoodad
  • Informal
5 9.9

A word people use for a person or object when they forget its name

limits use to small unnamed devices rather than people or broad things
thingamabob
vsdoodad
  • Informal
5 9.6

A thing whose name you do not know or remember

leans more toward small mechanical items rather than any forgotten object
wingding
vsdoodad
  • Informal
1 8.9

A small object whose name you do not know

is less mechanical and can mean any small unnamed object
whatsis
vsdoodad
  • Informal
1 9.9

A thing whose name you cannot remember

focuses more on small gadgets and device contexts rather than any unspecified thing
hootenanny
vsdoodad
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A small tool or object you forget the name of

is more common and specifically used for small gadgets rather than rare terms
gismo
vsdoodad
  • UK
8.5

A small device you do not know the name of

is broader and covers any unnamed small device or object
thingumajig
vsdoodad
  • Informal
9.9

A small object whose name you do not know

is more tied to small gadget meanings rather than any unspecified object
thingmajig
vsdoodad
  • Informal
9.9

An object whose name you do not know or have forgotten

is more casual and often used specifically for small gadgets
thingumabob
vsdoodad
  • Informal
9.9

An object whose name you don't know or have forgotten

is more restricted to small gadget or device senses rather than any object
thinginess
vsdoodad
  • Informal
9.9

A word used for an object when you forget its name

is more neutral and practical rather than playful in tone
thingummy
vsdoodad
  • Informal
9.9

A word for a person or thing whose name you cannot remember

focuses more narrowly on small unnamed devices rather than people
dojigger
vsdoodad
  • Informal
9.9

A small object used when you do not know its name

is commonly used for small gadget types rather than any large object
gubbins
vsdoodad
  • UK
9.9

Small things you do not know the name of or need

applies to a single small device rather than a group of items
whatchamacallum
vsdoodad
  • UK
9.9

A word for something whose name you cannot remember

is narrower, stressing small device or gadget use rather than any thing
whangdoodle
vsdoodad
  • Archaic
9.9

An odd gadget that seems useless and hard to understand

is neutral and practical rather than fanciful or whimsical

How Complex

contraption
54 7.7
device
∞ 2.1
gadget
142 2.9
doodad
  • Informal
7 8.7
object
739 1.0
thing
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

doodad singular
doodads plural

Etymology

Doodad is a playful name made by repeating a silly sound (doo), like the familiar word doohickey or 'thingamajig'. A helpful way to remember it is to think of a small object whose real name you cannot think of, because doodad sounds like a quick, casual name for 'some small thing'.