gadgets

IPA/ɡˈadʒɪts/
KK[ɡˈædʒəts]IPA/ɡˈædʒəts/

gadgets — noun

1. small tools, machines, or electronic items that each do one helpful job, especia

1.nounB1
Definition

small tools, machines, or electronic items that each do one helpful job, especially clever or modern ones that people enjoy owning

Example

Adaeze's kitchen drawer was full of clever gadgets for peeling fruit.

collocation: clever / handy gadgets

Theo loves shopping for the latest gadgets at the electronics store downtown.

collocation: the latest gadgets

Common collocations
  • clever gadgets
  • handy gadgets
  • new gadgets
  • latest gadgets
  • kitchen gadgets
  • travel gadgets
  • high-tech gadgets
Synonyms
  • devices

    more neutral and slightly more formal; less of the 'fun or clever' feel

  • tools

    broader, often non-electronic; lacks the modern or novelty connotation

  • appliances

    usually larger and permanent (oven, fridge); not used for small portable items

  • contraptions

    suggests something oddly built or unreliable; adds a judgement gadgets does not

Usage Note

Plural form is far more common than the singular when speaking generally about a person's collection of small useful items. Often follows adjectives like 'clever', 'handy', 'new', 'latest', or a domain word ('kitchen gadgets', 'travel gadgets').

Common Mistakes

I bought many gadget yesterday.
I bought many gadgets yesterday.
the noun is countable, so the plural form needs the -s ending after 'many'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words name physical objects that perform a task, but they differ in size, tone, and what the speaker feels about them. 'Gadgets' suggests small, clever, often modern or electronic items that the owner enjoys — there is a hint of novelty and personal interest. 'Devices' is more neutral and slightly more formal; you would see it in product manuals or news articles where 'gadgets' would sound too casual. 'Tools' is the broadest term and usually points to non-electronic equipment used for a specific job, like a hammer or a screwdriver; it lacks the modern, fun feeling of 'gadgets'. 'Appliances' refers to larger, mostly fixed items found in homes — fridges, ovens, washing machines — and is never used for small portable items. 'Contraptions' adds a touch of humour or doubt, suggesting the thing looks oddly built or might not work well. For everyday talk about kitchen tools or new tech toys, 'gadgets' is the natural choice; switch to 'devices' for a more formal register and to 'appliances' when the item is a large household machine.

devices ↗tools ↗appliances ↗contraptions ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • kitchen gadgets
  • travel gadgets
  • electronic gadgets

Phrases

  • all the latest gadgets
  • high-tech gadgets

Prepositions

Etymology

French (possibly)English

'Gadget' first appeared in English in the late 1800s as sailors' slang for any small mechanical part whose proper name was forgotten or unknown. Its exact origin is uncertain, but it may come from the French word 'gâchette' (a small piece of a firearm mechanism) or from 'gagée', a small tool. By the early 1900s it had spread into general use for any clever little device, and the plural 'gadgets' is now the most common form when talking about a collection of such items.