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thingummy

thingummy

9.9
A word for a person or thing whose name you cannot remember
  • noun
  • /ˈθɪŋəmi/
  • Informal
translation icon : cosa

Examples

  • It's all over, Mrs. Thingummy.

  • This Victor thingummy-

  • Prince... thingummy isn't going to give ha'porth for a scrap of paper that's come all t'way from Lancashire.

  • Can you hand me that thingummy over there on the shelf?

  • I forgot the name of the thingummy that we discussed in the meeting.

  • She pointed at the small thingummy on the table and asked what it was.

Synonyms

something
vsthingummy
1.0

An unknown object or idea that is not named

is used as a concrete placeholder for forgotten names rather than vague reference
thing
vsthingummy
1.0

Something you do not know or cannot name

is the informal placeholder used when a name is forgotten unknown or not mentioned
thingy
vsthingummy
  • Informal
75 8.4

An informal word for an object when you forget its name

is used for people as well as things rather than only objects
widget
vsthingummy
59 5.1

A small useful thing or tool for a particular job

is used more generally for people or broad unnamed things not only devices
doohickey
vsthingummy
  • Informal
11 9.9

A small object whose name you do not know

is used for people and broader unnamed items not only gadgets
doodad
vsthingummy
  • Informal
7 8.7

A small thing or device whose name you do not know

is used more widely for people or any unnamed things not just small devices
whatchamacallit
vsthingummy
  • Informal
7 9.9

A word for an object whose name you do not know

also covers people as well as objects rather than only objects
thingie
vsthingummy
  • Informal
6 9.2

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

also covers people as well as objects rather than only objects
gimmick
vsthingummy
  • Informal
6 5.6

A small object whose name you cannot remember

is used as a general placeholder for people or things not only gadgets
thingamajig
vsthingummy
  • Informal
5 9.9

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

means the same and can be used in identical situations
thingamabob
vsthingummy
  • Informal
5 9.6

A thing whose name you do not know or remember

can be used for people too rather than only objects
whatsis
vsthingummy
  • Informal
1 9.9

A thing whose name you cannot remember

also applies to people as well as things not only to objects
hootenanny
vsthingummy
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A small tool or object you forget the name of

is used in general speech for people or things not only for devices
innominate
vsthingummy
  • Archaic
9.9

A person or thing with no name

is the more common informal substitute rather than older formal usage
whatchamacallum
vsthingummy
  • UK
9.9

A word for something whose name you cannot remember

also covers people as well as objects rather than only objects
thingumajig
vsthingummy
  • Informal
9.9

A small object whose name you do not know

also refers to people as well as objects not only objects
thingumabob
vsthingummy
  • Informal
9.9

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

is also used for people as well as objects
thingmajig
vsthingummy
  • Informal
9.9

An object whose name you do not know or have forgotten

is used where people or other things may be unnamed not only devices
thinginess
vsthingummy
  • Informal
9.9

A word used for an object when you forget its name

also applies to people as well as objects not only objects
dojigger
vsthingummy
  • Informal
9.9

A small object used when you do not know its name

is used as a general placeholder for people or things not only devices
gismo
vsthingummy
  • UK
8.5

A small device you do not know the name of

is used for any person or unnamed thing rather than only devices
gubbins
vsthingummy
  • UK
9.9

Small things you do not know the name of or need

is used for single unnamed people or things rather than collections

Surface Forms

thingummy singular
thingummies plural

Morphology

thingummy = thing (transparent) = thing + ummy

Formed from the familiar word 'thing' with an informal colloquial suffix to create a generic placeholder, so the meaning is easily recoverable by learners.

Etymology

Thingummy is a playful word made from the common word thing with a silly ending, like in thingamajig or whatchamacallit, that people use when a name is forgotten. So, thingummy points to a person or object when the name is 'forgotten' or 'unknown'.