noun
whatchamacallit
WOT-shuh-muh-kaw-liht
Whatchamacallit (noun) means an informal word for an object whose name you can't remember or don't know. Example: “Pass me the whatchamacallit, the thing that opens jars.”
noun
1
An informal word for an object whose name you can't remember or don't know.
"Pass me the whatchamacallit, the thing that opens jars."
"He fixed it with some whatchamacallit from the garage."
How to use whatchamacallit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA playful stand-in word for "thing" when the real name has slipped your mind.
When to use it
Very informal and spoken — never used in formal writing.
Common pairings
that whatchamacallit
the whatchamacallit thing
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like whatchamacallit.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- whatchamacallits, whatchamacallem, whatchamacall'em
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Pass me the _____, the thing that opens jars.
Etymology
A run-together, shortened form of "what you may call it," first recorded in the early 1920s in the United States.
Class of 1920
whatchamacallit joined the language around 1920.
See the full Class of 1920 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “whatchamacallit” mean?
The word “whatchamacallit” means an informal word for an object whose name you can't remember or don't know. In plain terms, a playful stand-in word for "thing" when the real name has slipped your mind.
How do you pronounce “whatchamacallit”?
“Whatchamacallit” is pronounced WOT-shuh-muh-kaw-liht (/ˈwʌt͡ʃəməˌkɔlɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “whatchamacallit” in a sentence?
Here is “whatchamacallit” used in a sentence: “Pass me the whatchamacallit, the thing that opens jars.”
What part of speech is “whatchamacallit”?
“Whatchamacallit” is a noun.
Where does the word “whatchamacallit” come from?
The word “whatchamacallit” dates back to around 1920. A run-together, shortened form of "what you may call it," first recorded in the early 1920s in the United States.
