contraption
Contraption (noun) means a machine or device that looks complicated, unusual, or unreliable. Example: “He built a strange contraption out of bicycle parts and old pipes.”
How to use contraption
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA gadget or device that looks odd, homemade, or overly complicated.
Word forms
contraptions plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He built a strange _____ out of bicycle parts and old pipes.
Etymology
Origin uncertain — possibly a 19th-century US dialect word, perhaps blending contrive, trap, and construction.
Related words
Rhymes for 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.
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