contrivance

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

contrivance — 名詞

  • contrivancesingular
  • contrivancesplural

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

1.名詞C2
釋義

巧計；布局

為促成結果而刻意設計的安排

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.

Rachid 那番假道歉，其實只是拖延委員會表決的巧計。

contrivance + to-infinitive for hidden purpose

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

那把不見的鑰匙後來被看出是為了排擠 Nellie 的布局。

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

機巧裝置

為解決實際問題做出的器具

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.

Bao 做了一個簡單的機巧裝置，每天早上都會替幼苗澆水。

contrivance as homemade mechanical device

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

露營的人用彎湯匙和繩子做出一個能把鍋子吊起來的裝置。

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

做作感

因刻意安排而顯得不自然

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.

最後一章突然冒出的雙胞胎，讓人覺得滿是做作感。

used in criticism of fiction or dramatic plotting

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

評論家說，那場法庭重逢透出濃濃的做作感，不像真實的戲劇發展。

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.