whatsit

/ˈwɒtsɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈwʌtsɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈ(h)wät-sət, ˈ(h)wət-/ (ame, mw)

whatsit — 名詞

  • whatsitsingular
  • whatsitsplural

1. an informal word that speakers use in place of a forgotten or deliberately avoid

1.名詞
釋義

那個什麼

忘記名稱時使用的代稱

an informal word that speakers use in place of a forgotten or deliberately avoided name for a person, object, or place

例句

Asher rummaged through the drawer for the whatsit that opens the battery cover.

Asher 在抽屜裡翻找那個能打開電池蓋的什麼東西。

collocation: 'the whatsit' + relative clause describing the object

Aylin asked whether the whatsit on the top shelf belonged to anyone.

Aylin 問說最上層架子上的那個什麼是不是有人要的。

collocation: 'the whatsit' as a vague noun phrase

同義詞
  • thingy

    British informal; same placeholder function, equally vague

  • thingamajig

    American informal; slightly more playful, often for mechanical objects

  • whatchamacallit

    longer variant of 'whatsit', same meaning and register

  • doohickey

    American informal; refers specifically to a small device or gadget

文法句型

the / a / that + whatsit

whatsit + relative clause

用法筆記

Highly informal and used mainly in spoken English. Can refer to a person, an object, or a place. Avoid in formal writing or academic contexts. Variants include 'thingy' (British) and 'thingamajig' (American).

常見錯誤

❌Please find attached the whatsit for your signature.
✅Please find attached the document for your signature.
💡'whatsit' is too informal for professional correspondence.
❌The whatsit in the living room is broken.' (when you know it is a lamp)
✅The lamp in the living room is broken.
💡use the correct name when you know it.