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thingamabob

thingamabob

5 9.6
A thing whose name you do not know or remember
  • noun
  • /ˈθɪŋəˌməˌbɑb/
  • Informal
translation icon : cachivache
  • So these are like my makeup rhinestones and other shindigs thingamabobs in here.

And Adam's like, no, you have to use Secret Labs as cable management thingamabobs.

Examples

  • Do you remember that thingamabob we used at the party? It was so useful.

  • You know that little thingamabob you have to use every day to get into the office?

    Academic text (2008)
  • In this age of social media, no electronic thingamabob would be complete without the ability to share it with friends.

    Blog text (22)
  • You got some hooks on your thingamabob over there, darling?

  • This is the exact thingamabob I was lookin' for.

  • We've come a long way since our last review thingamabob, eh?

    Blog text (14)
  • Of all the thingamabobs in this entire world... I never thought I'd get to wear a real... what's it called again?

  • OK, in our case, can you judge a thingamabob by its whatever doohickeys thingamabobs are made of?

  • You broke one of your pappy's thingamabobs.

  • Here's your thingamabob.

Synonyms

something
vsthingamabob
1.0

An unknown object or idea that is not named

is used when a specific name is forgotten rather than general unspecifiedness
thing
vsthingamabob
1.0

Something you do not know or cannot name

is used specifically when a name is unknown or has been forgotten
thingy
vsthingamabob
  • Informal
75 8.4

An informal word for an object when you forget its name

is more focused on physical objects rather than ideas
widget
vsthingamabob
59 5.1

A small useful thing or tool for a particular job

is broader, applying to any unnamed object not only small devices
gizmo
vsthingamabob
  • Informal
56 7.1

A small device or tool whose name you do not know

is more general and covers all unnamed objects, not just small devices
doohickey
vsthingamabob
  • Informal
11 9.9

A small object whose name you do not know

is the broader term applying to all unnamed objects or things
doodad
vsthingamabob
  • Informal
7 8.7

A small thing or device whose name you do not know

is used more generally for any unnamed object, not only small devices
whatchamacallit
vsthingamabob
  • Informal
7 9.9

A word for an object whose name you do not know

is the general term for an unknown or forgotten object name
thingie
vsthingamabob
  • Informal
6 9.2

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

is the neutral way to refer to an unknown or forgotten object
gimmick
vsthingamabob
  • Informal
6 5.6

A small object whose name you cannot remember

is the plain label for an unnamed object rather than implying a device type
thingamajig
vsthingamabob
  • Informal
5 9.9

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

is mainly used for objects and less for naming people
hootenanny
vsthingamabob
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A small tool or object you forget the name of

is the general word for unnamed objects without that playful label
whatsis
vsthingamabob
  • Informal
1 9.9

A thing whose name you cannot remember

is more general and may refer to objects and ideas alike
thingumabob
vsthingamabob
  • Informal
9.9

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

is the same idea with no added nuance
whatchamacallum
vsthingamabob
  • UK
9.9

A word for something whose name you cannot remember

is the general label for an unnamed or forgotten object
thingmajig
vsthingamabob
  • Informal
9.9

An object whose name you do not know or have forgotten

is used more broadly for any unnamed object not only devices
thingumajig
vsthingamabob
  • Informal
9.9

A small object whose name you do not know

is the broad term for an unnamed object without technical focus
thinginess
vsthingamabob
  • Informal
9.9

A word used for an object when you forget its name

is the standard term for an unnamed object without playful tone
gismo
vsthingamabob
  • UK
8.5

A small device you do not know the name of

is the general label for any unnamed object beyond small devices
dojigger
vsthingamabob
  • Informal
9.9

A small object used when you do not know its name

is broader and can name any unnamed thing beyond devices
thingummy
vsthingamabob
  • Informal
9.9

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

is limited to objects and does not normally name people
gubbins
vsthingamabob
  • UK
9.9

Small things you do not know the name of or need

is the single-object term rather than a collection of small items

Surface Forms

thingamabob singular
thingamabobs plural

Etymology

Thingamabob comes from the simple word thing plus a playful ending like -bob or -majig. A helpful way to remember it is to think of a quick name you use when you 'don't know or forget a name', which is why thingamabob means any object whose name you can't remember.