contraption

IPA/kənˈtræpʃn/
KK[kəntrˈæpʃən]IPA/kənˈtræpʃn/

contraption — noun

  • contraptionsingular
  • contraptionsplural

1. an object built from several parts in a clumsy or unusual way, often leaving you

1.nounC1
Definition

an object built from several parts in a clumsy or unusual way, often leaving you unsure what it does or how to operate it

Example

Kenji wheeled a noisy contraption into the garage to sharpen old skates.

contraption + into + place for a practical job

At the night market, Marta bought a folding contraption for washing salad leaves.

collocation: folding contraption

Common collocations
  • noisy contraption
  • folding contraption
  • homemade contraption
  • rusted contraption
  • build a contraption
  • reset the contraption
Synonyms
  • device

    broader and more neutral; it does not imply an awkward or puzzling design

  • gadget

    usually smaller and often clever or convenient, rather than clumsy-looking

  • machine

    more general and functional; it can sound technical without the humorous tone

Usage Note

Often carries a mildly humorous tone and suggests the object looks homemade, awkward, or harder to use than a normal machine. It is most natural for devices with visible parts such as wheels, pipes, wires, or handles.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Contraption is the most colorful word in this group. It suggests a thing made from parts that looks awkward, overcomplicated, or slightly mysterious, and speakers often use it with mild amusement. Device is much broader and more neutral: it can mean almost any piece of equipment. Gadget usually suggests something small, clever, or convenient, especially a modern tool you enjoy using. Machine is the plain functional term for equipment that does a job, whether simple or complex. You might call a homemade bike-powered blender a contraption, a phone charger a device, a pocket translator a gadget, and a factory press a machine.

contraption ↗device ↗gadget ↗machine ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • metal contraption
  • homemade contraption
  • garden contraption

Phrases

  • build a contraption
  • operate a contraption
  • wheel in a contraption

Prepositions

  • contraption for
  • contraption with
  • contraption on

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Contraption is a relatively modern English word related to contrive, meaning to invent or put something together. It seems to have grown out of informal talk about something assembled in an ingenious but awkward way, which matches the word's modern humorous tone.