contrivance

/kənˈtraɪvəns/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈtraɪvəns/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈtrī-vən(t)s/ (ame, mw)

contrivance — noun

  • contrivancesingular
  • contrivancesplural

1. a carefully worked-out plan, arrangement, or trick created to bring about a resu

1.名詞C2
釋義

a carefully worked-out plan, arrangement, or trick created to bring about a result, often in a way that feels overly calculated or slightly dishonest

例句

Rachid's fake apology was a contrivance to delay the committee vote.

contrivance + to-infinitive for hidden purpose

The missing key turned out to be a contrivance for pushing Nellie out.

同義詞
  • scheme

    More common and often broader; can be neutral in British English official contexts, while contrivance usually sounds more literary and more critical.

  • ploy

    Usually a single tactical move used to gain advantage, often quicker and narrower than contrivance.

  • maneuver

    Often used for strategic moves in politics or business; less likely than contrivance to suggest artificial design.

反義詞
  • coincidence

    Describes something happening without deliberate design.

文法句型

contrivance + to-infinitive

contrivance + for + -ing

用法筆記

Often followed by a to-infinitive or by for + -ing when the hidden purpose is named. Unlike sense 3, this sense names the plan itself rather than criticizing a story or scene as artificial.

常見錯誤

❌The engineer repaired the contrivance under the sink.
✅The engineer repaired the device under the sink.
💡In this sense, contrivance means a plan or trick, not a piece of equipment.

2. a device, tool, or improvised piece of equipment someone devises to solve one pr

2.名詞C2
釋義

a device, tool, or improvised piece of equipment someone devises to solve one practical problem

例句

Bao built a simple contrivance that watered the seedlings every morning.

contrivance as homemade mechanical device

With a bent spoon and string, the camper made a contrivance for lifting the pot.

同義詞
  • device

    The general modern word for an object made for a purpose; less literary than contrivance.

  • gadget

    Usually smaller and often modern or electronic; more informal than contrivance.

  • rig

    Informal and often used for something assembled from available parts rather than neatly designed.

文法句型

contrivance + for + -ing

用法筆記

Usually refers to a physical object, often homemade, temporary, or unusually clever in design. If you mean a plan or trick, use sense 1 instead.

常見錯誤

❌Their sudden divorce was a contrivance to hide the money.
✅Their sudden divorce was a scheme to hide the money.
💡Use sense 1 for a deliberate plan; this sense is only about equipment or mechanisms.

3. a detail or effect that feels arranged by an author or designer instead of arisi

3.名詞C2
釋義

a detail or effect that feels arranged by an author or designer instead of arising naturally, so it seems artificial or forced

例句

The surprise twin in the last chapter felt like pure contrivance.

used in criticism of fiction or dramatic plotting

Critics called the courtroom reunion a contrivance rather than real drama.

同義詞
  • artificiality

    More general and abstract; not limited to one detail or scene.

  • affectation

    Usually describes behavior or style that is deliberately unnatural, especially in people.

  • plot device

    Specific to storytelling; narrower than contrivance because it does not cover speeches or designs.

反義詞
  • naturalness

    Suggests something develops or appears without visible forcing.

文法句型

feel like contrivance

be a contrivance

用法筆記

Most common in criticism of novels, films, speeches, and other designed effects. Unlike sense 1, it judges something as unnaturally arranged instead of naming a scheme to achieve a goal.

常見錯誤

❌The final chase was a clever contrivance to catch the thief.
✅The final chase felt like a contrivance added only to catch the thief.
💡In this sense, contrivance criticizes the forced effect itself, not simply a plan.