noun
C2
Proficient
contraption
kuhn-TRAP-shuhn
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.”
noun
1
A machine or device that looks complicated, unusual, or unreliable.
"He built a strange contraption out of bicycle parts and old pipes."
"The homemade contraption was supposed to sort the mail automatically."
How to use contraption
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA gadget or device that looks odd, homemade, or overly complicated.
Common pairings
a strange contraption
homemade contraption
rickety contraption
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Word forms
- Plural
- contraptions
Fill the gap
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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.
Class of 1800
contraption joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for contraption
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all 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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