plugin

2 antonyms for plugin — opposites grouped by meaning.

Noun — A separate piece of software that adds a feature to an existing program without changing the program itself, and which can be installed or removed independently.

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun neutral

A separate piece of software that adds a feature to an existing program without changing the program itself, and which can be installed or removed independently.

“There is a plugin that adds a booking calendar to the site.”

add-on extension module addon

Opposites

core built-in feature

2. adjective technical

Designed to be added to a larger system in this way.

“The editor has a plug-in architecture, so anyone can extend it.”

modular extensible pluggable

Antonyms

core built-in feature

How to use plugin

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

install a plugin WordPress plugin browser plugin plugin conflict third-party plugin

Written plugin or plug-in; both are accepted, and plug-in is more usual in edited prose.

Etymology

From the phrasal verb plug in, on the image of plugging an extra part into a socket.

Full origin of plugin →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a plugin and an extension?

In practice they mean much the same thing: an optional add-on. Browsers now mostly use extension, while content systems such as WordPress use plugin. Historically browser plug-ins were separate programs that handled particular file types, which is no longer how browsers work.

What is the difference between a plugin and a library?

A plugin is installed into a finished program by its user or administrator and works within the rules that program sets. A library is code a developer includes while building software, before it is finished.

Why can plugins break a website?

Plugins are written by different people and each can change how the site behaves. Two plugins altering the same thing, or one written for an older version of the host software, can conflict and cause errors.

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core extension module modular pluggable extensible

Nearby words

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