noun
whatsit
Whatsit (noun) means an informal name for a thing whose actual name you can't recall or don't want to say. Example: “Hand me the whatsit on the shelf, the little metal clip.”
noun
1
An informal name for a thing whose actual name you can't recall or don't want to say.
"Pass me one of those whatsits, will you?"
"Hand me the whatsit on the shelf, the little metal clip."
How to use whatsit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual filler word for "thing" when its proper name escapes you.
When to use it
Informal, spoken English — a close cousin of "whatchamacallit" and "thingamajig."
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Word forms
- Plural
- whatsits
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Hand me the _____ on the shelf, the little metal clip.
Etymology
A run-together form of the phrase "what is it," used as a stand-in for an unnamed object.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “whatsit” mean?
The word “whatsit” means an informal name for a thing whose actual name you can't recall or don't want to say. In plain terms, a casual filler word for "thing" when its proper name escapes you.
How do you use “whatsit” in a sentence?
Here is “whatsit” used in a sentence: “Hand me the whatsit on the shelf, the little metal clip.”
What part of speech is “whatsit”?
“Whatsit” is a noun.
What is the meaning of whatsit?
"whatsit" (noun) means an informal name for a thing whose actual name you can't recall or don't want to say.
