contraption
11 synonyms for contraption, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A machine or device that looks complicated, unusual, or unreliable.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use contraption
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a strange contraption
homemade contraption
rickety contraption
Etymology
Origin uncertain — possibly a 19th-century US dialect word, perhaps blending contrive, trap, and construction.
Full origin of contraption →Frequently asked questions
What does “contraption” mean?
The word “contraption” means a machine or device that looks complicated, unusual, or unreliable. In plain terms, a gadget or device that looks odd, homemade, or overly complicated.
How do you pronounce “contraption”?
“Contraption” is pronounced kuhn-TRAP-shuhn (/kənˈtɹæp.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “contraption” in a sentence?
Here is “contraption” used in a sentence: “He built a strange contraption out of bicycle parts and old pipes.”
What is another word for “contraption”?
Words with a similar meaning to “contraption” include contrivance, device, gadget, fandango, mechanism and construction.
What part of speech is “contraption”?
“Contraption” is a noun.
Where does the word “contraption” come from?
The word “contraption” dates back to around 1800. Origin uncertain — possibly a 19th-century US dialect word, perhaps blending contrive, trap, and construction.
