watchamacallit
That unnamed thing
Watchamacallit is a placeholder word for something whose name you can't remember or don't know: Hand me that watchamacallit—the thing with the handle.
It fills the gap when the right word won't come.
Also spelled whatchamacallit.
Similar fillers include thingamajig, doohickey, and whatsit.
Placeholder for unnamed objects
- whatsitPlaceholder for forgotten names
- doohickeyPlaceholder word for objects
- gizmoNameless mechanical device
- widgetUnspecified small device
gadget · doodad · contraption · thingy · thingamabob · dingus · doojigger · whatnot
Erasing or forgetting
- forgettingFailing to retain memories
- recallMemory retrieval act
- fumblingClumsy, uncoordinated handling
- gropingSearching by touch alone
searching · struggling · reaching · grasping · slip · momentary · retrieval · hesitation
Informal in-group vocabulary
- colloquialCasual, everyday language
- casualRelaxed and informal
- vernacularEveryday regional speech
- everydayOccurring each day
conversational · folksy · informal · relaxed · familiar · spoken · impromptu · off-the-cuff
thingamajig
Placeholder for unnamed objects
- whatsitPlaceholder for forgotten names
- doohickeyPlaceholder word for objects
- gizmoNameless mechanical device
widget · gadget · doodad · contraption · thingy · thingamabob · dingus · doojigger · whatnot · whatchacallit
blanking
Erasing or forgetting
- forgettingFailing to retain memories
- recallMemory retrieval act
- fumblingClumsy, uncoordinated handling
groping · searching · struggling · reaching · grasping · slip · momentary · retrieval · hesitation · pause
slang
Informal in-group vocabulary
- colloquialCasual, everyday language
- casualRelaxed and informal
- vernacularEveryday regional speech
everyday · conversational · folksy · informal · relaxed · familiar · spoken · impromptu · off-the-cuff · spontaneous
- thingamajigsthingamajig, thingamabob, doohickey, doodad, gizmo
watchamacallitproper noun
Named person or place
technical term · known quantity · defined term · nomenclature · taxonomy