gadget
n. countablen. a small tool or machine that does something useful. You often use this word for clever electronic devices like phones or kitchen tools.
n. a small mechanical or electronic device with a practical use. Often carries a connotation of novelty or ingenuity.
This kitchen gadget makes peeling potatoes much faster.
He loves buying the latest high-tech gadgets even if he rarely uses all their features.
While the basic model is functional, the premium version includes several specialized gadgets designed to appeal to professional photographers and tech enthusiasts.
Unknown. First used in print by Robert Brown in 1886 (see quote in definition section). Might come from French gâchette or gagée, or from the French family name Gaget, an industrialist who produced promotional gadgets in collaboration with the project to build the statue of Liberty.
Commonly used in informal contexts to describe consumer electronics or specialized household tools.