Word
thingy
US/ˈθɪŋi/
UK/θˈɪŋi/
Countable noun
Definition
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.
Examples
“Can you pass me that blue thingy on the table?”
“I need to find the little metal thingy that holds the battery in place before I can fix the remote.”
“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.”
Examples
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.”
Usage
Often used with 'that' or 'this' to point toward the object being discussed.
Etymology
From thing + -y (diminutive suffix).
From thing + -y (adjectival suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/thingy