# contraption

/kənˈtɹæpʃən/ (US) · /kəntɹˈæpʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/contraption
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a strange machine

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a machine or gadget that looks complicated and perhaps likely to break.

For teachers: a mechanical device or apparatus, often one that is perceived as overly complex, peculiar, or precariously constructed.

- He built a strange contraption in his garage to sort his old coins.
- The inventor demonstrated a steam-powered contraption that, despite its hissing valves and rattling gears, successfully ground the coffee beans.

Usage: Often carries a slightly humorous or skeptical tone regarding the object's usefulness.

Teaching tip: Learners should use this when they want to describe a machine that looks 'homemade' or unnecessarily complicated.

## Examples

- The old man tried to fix the broken contraption.
- The inventor spent months building a strange contraption that could supposedly clean the entire house in one hour.
- While the device was technically a marvel of engineering, its unwieldy design made it more of a contraption than a practical tool for everyday use.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.