dingus
Dingus (noun) means a gadget or object whose real name you can't remember or don't bother to use. Example: “Hand me that little dingus for opening jars.”
How to use dingus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA placeholder word for an object you can't name, or a joking insult for someone acting silly.
Very informal, mostly spoken American English.
Word forms
dinguses plural, Dinguses plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Hand me that little _____ for opening jars.
Etymology
Likely borrowed from Dutch dinges ("thingamajig") or a related Afrikaans word, with the ending reshaped to look like a Latin -us word.
Rhymes for dingus
See all rhymes for dingus →Frequently asked questions
What does “dingus” mean?
The word “dingus” means a gadget or object whose real name you can't remember or don't bother to use. In plain terms, a placeholder word for an object you can't name, or a joking insult for someone acting silly.
How do you pronounce “dingus”?
“Dingus” is pronounced DIHNG-guhs (/ˈdɪŋɡəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “dingus” in a sentence?
Here is “dingus” used in a sentence: “Hand me that little dingus for opening jars.”
What part of speech is “dingus”?
“Dingus” is a noun.
Where does the word “dingus” come from?
The word “dingus” comes from Latin. Likely borrowed from Dutch dinges ("thingamajig") or a related Afrikaans word, with the ending reshaped to look like a Latin -us word.
How many meanings does “dingus” have?
“Dingus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a gadget or object whose real name you can't remember or don't bother to use.