# thingy

/ˈθɪŋi/ (US) · /θˈɪŋi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/thingy
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

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

---

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.