thingamabob
That forgotten thing
A thingamabob is a thing whose name you don't know or can't recall: Hand me that thingamabob over there.
It belongs to a family of placeholder words—thingamajig, whatchamacallit, doohickey—used when pointing or context makes the referent clear enough.
The word sounds playful and slightly old-fashioned.
Placeholder word for objects
- whatnotUnspecified additional items
- whatsitPlaceholder for forgotten names
- gizmoNameless mechanical device
- widgetUnspecified small device
doodad · contraption · gadget · thingy · watchamacallit · so-and-so · such-and-such · dingus
Constructed tool or machine
- appliancePowered household device
- contraptionImprovised or odd mechanism
- mechanismMeans by which something operates
- apparatusEquipment for a task
instrument · implement · tool · utensil · equipment · machinery · invention · widget
Small decorative object
- baubleShowy, worthless ornament
- curioOdd collectible item
- tchotchkeSmall decorative trifle
- ornamentThing that beautifies
novelty · keepsake · memento · souvenir · bric-a-brac · gewgaw · bibelot · collectible
Without any designation
- unidentifiedNot yet recognized
- unknownNot yet discovered
- mysterySomething unexplained or unknown
- whositPlaceholder for forgotten name
faceless · obscure · indefinite · vague · unspecified · unremembered
doohickey
Placeholder word for objects
- whatnotUnspecified additional items
- whatsitPlaceholder for forgotten names
- gizmoNameless mechanical device
widget · doodad · contraption · gadget · thingy · watchamacallit · so-and-so · such-and-such · dingus
device
Constructed tool or machine
- appliancePowered household device
- contraptionImprovised or odd mechanism
- mechanismMeans by which something operates
apparatus · instrument · implement · tool · utensil · equipment · machinery · invention · widget · gizmo
knickknack
Small decorative object
ornament · novelty · keepsake · memento · souvenir · bric-a-brac · gewgaw · bibelot · collectible · oddment
nameless
Without any designation
- unidentifiedNot yet recognized
- unknownNot yet discovered
- mysterySomething unexplained or unknown
whosit · faceless · obscure · indefinite · vague · unspecified · unremembered
- placeholder wordsthingy, doohickey, doodad, whatsit, thingummy
- thingamajigsdoohickey, doodad, gizmo, thingy, widget
- Whimsy Wordsgobbledygook, gibberish, mumbo jumbo, hogwash, balderdash
- placeholdersplaceholder, bar, blank, dummy, filler