ENGLISH
REFERENCE

thingy

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈθɪŋi// UK //θˈɪŋi// thingy Humorous Informal Slang

n. a word you use when you cannot remember the name of an object. It is a handy way to keep talking even if you forget a specific noun.

n. a placeholder name used to refer to an object whose specific name is forgotten or unknown. Typically used in spoken English to maintain conversational flow.


SIMPLE

Can you pass me that blue thingy on the table?

CONTEXTUAL

I need to find the little metal thingy that holds the battery in place before I can fix the remote.

COMPLEX

While technical manuals require precise terminology, casual speech often relies on vague placeholders like thingy to bridge gaps in memory without disrupting the rhythm of the interaction.

Etymology 1

From thing + -y (diminutive suffix).

Etymology 2

From thing + -y (adjectival suffix).

Usage

Often used with 'that' or 'this' to point toward the object being discussed.

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